Gopalganj unrest: Assembly ban under Section 144 back in effect as curfew ends

Authorities have reinstated a ban on public gatherings in Gopalganj after easing curfew restrictions following deadly clashes between activists of the banned Awami League and law enforcement during a National Citizen Party (NCP) rally in the town.

District Magistrate and Deputy Commissioner (DC) Muhammad Kamruzzaman announced the reimposition of restrictions under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure at 10:30pm on Saturday in a bid to maintain law and order.

The curbs will remain in effect from 6am to 8pm on Sunday, according to a statement by the DC office.

During this period, all kinds of gatherings, processions, and public assemblies will be prohibited across the district.

“Section 144 will be in effect from Sunday morning until 8pm," said Executive Magistrate Russell Munshi.

“Examinees, students, emergency services, and government offices will be exempt from the restrictions. However, public gatherings and movement in groups will be banned.”

After the curfew was lifted, some businesses reopened and traffic began to move. Law enforcement remained on high alert to prevent further unrest.

Earlier, on Jul 16, Gopalganj turned into a battleground after NCP leaders and activists arrived in town for a rally as part of the party's ongoing “July March” programme.

The event triggered a violent response from Awami League activists, culminating in a series of back-and-forth chases and clashes between protesters and law enforcers.

Four people died during the five-hour clashes, with another person succumbing to gunshot wounds in a Dhaka hospital the following night.

The NCP leaders, who had taken shelter at the district superintendent of police’s office during the violence, were later escorted out of the town in armoured Army vehicles.

The interim government initially imposed a curfew from 8pm Wednesday to 6pm Thursday, but later extended the restrictions indefinitely.

The home ministry announced that the curfew would remain in effect until further notice, with a three-hour break from 11am-2pm on Friday.

On Friday evening, authorities extended the curfew until 6am on Saturday.

After that, the curfew remained in effect from 8pm Saturday to 6am Sunday.

Four cases have been filed in connection with the attacks and clashes surrounding the NCP programme. More than 3,000 people have been implicated in these cases.

Among the named suspects are 358 leaders and activists of the Awami League and its affiliated organisations. The rest have been listed as unnamed suspects. So far, 277 people have been arrested.

All cases were filed by the police, the most recent one being on Friday night at Gopalganj Sadar Police Station.