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At least four people have reportedly been killed in Gopalganj as the town turned into a battleground during hours-long clashes surrounding a rally and March organised by the National Citizen Party (NCP).
Jibitesh Biswas, superintendent of Gopalganj General Hospital, said at 8pm on Wednesday: “We have received four bodies here.”
The dead have been identified as Dipto Saha, 30, Rozman Kazi, 19, Sohel Rana, 35, and Emon, identified with a single name, reports bdnews24.com.
Earlier around 7.30pm, Additional Inspector General (Crime) Khandaker Rafiqul Islam said he had confirmed three deaths, but warned the toll could rise.
The violence, which continued for more than four hours from the afternoon, has left many people injured.
Of those, 15 have been admitted to Gopalganj General Hospital, while three in serious condition have been transferred to Dhaka.
Tensions around the the NCP’s planned programme had been building since Tuesday, fuelled by extensive social media campaigning.
Violence erupted on Wednesday morning before the party leaders could enter the city with their motorcade.
A police vehicle was torched, followed by an attack on the Upazila executive officer, or Upazila Nirbahi Officer’s (UNO), car.
Around 1:30pm, activists purportedly aligned with the Awami League and Chhatra League marched through the city shouting “Joy Bangla” and attacked the NCP’s rally stage at the municipal park.
After a short rally, the NCP leaders attempted to leave for Madaripur via Tekerhat under police escort.
But around 2:45pm, as the convoy reached near Gopalganj Government College in the Launch Ghat area, they came under renewed attack.
In the face of the chaos, the NCP’s central leaders sought refuge at the district police superintendent’s office.
Later, escorted in Army armoured vehicles, they left the premises.
The local administration invoked Section 144 to ban pubic gatherings in the district at noon. As unrest continued, the Chief Advisor’s Office (CAO) announced a curfew from 8pm Wednesday to 6pm Thursday.