The situation in Gopalganj following violent clashes surrounding the National Citizen Party (NCP) rally on Wednesday is now largely calm and under control, said Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury.
The adviser made these remarks while speaking to journalists at the Ministry of Home Affairs in the Bangladesh Secretariat on Thursday.
He stated that after Wednesday’s incidents of vandalism, arson, and cocktail explosions during the NCP rally, a curfew was imposed in Gopalganj from 8pm Wednesday night until 6pm Thursday. The situation has now normalised, he said.
He said that 25 individuals have so far been brought under legal action in connection with violent incidents in Gopalganj, revealing that 10 police personnel were injured in the clashes. Among them, two were taken to Central Police Hospital, while three others are being transferred to Rajarbagh Police Hospital.
Responding to journalists’ questions about allegations made by NCP leaders regarding law enforcement’s role in the incident, the adviser stated that law enforcement agencies have been given proper directives and are making all-out efforts.
The home adviser emphasised that all necessary preparations will be made to prevent such incidents from recurring. “Those who committed unlawful acts are being arrested and will continue to be apprehended. There is no question of leniency for anyone,” he said. “The operation will continue until all perpetrators are brought to justice.”
Earlier, the adviser visited Central Police Hospital in Rajarbagh, Dhaka, to meet the police personnel injured in during clashes in Gopalganj.
On Wednesday, clashes broke out after alleged supporters of the banned Awami League and its student wing Chhatra League attacked the NCP rally near Poura Park and Chowrangi Mor, triggering day-long street battles with law enforcement and NCP activists.