ASK finds ‘serious human rights violations’ in Gopalganj clashes

The rights organisation Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) has said serious human rights violations took place through the violence surrounding the National Citizen Party (NCP) rally in Gopalganj.

In a media statement issued on Friday, it added that the attacks on the rally infringed upon citizens’ rights to peaceful assembly.

ASK also commented on the origins of the violence, saying that provocative remarks were made targeting Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the Awami League, which quickly escalated tensions and led to a large-scale conflict.

The organisation said a four-member fact-finding team visited Gopalganj on Jul 21 and 22 following the incidents surrounding the NCP programme held on Jul 16.

The report said local Awami League activists attacked NCP supporters. The ensuing violence and the use of force by law enforcement reportedly resulted in five deaths and injured many.

According to those present at the rally, a group of 50-60 people began shouting “Joy Bangla” slogans and breaking chairs at the venue around 10:30am. This prompted 150-200 NCP supporters to retreat toward the deputy commissioner’s office.

Law-enforcing officers intervened to disperse the attackers, and security was increased with police and Army presence at the site.

Around 1pm, the NCP leaders arrived at the rally under military and police protection and delivered their speeches.

As soon as they entered their cars to leave the venue, Awami League supporters reportedly began pelting stones at law-enforcing personnel stationed in various parts of the city, triggering widespread clashes.

Police used sound grenades, tear gas, and live ammunition. Four individuals were declared dead at the hospital after sustaining gunshot wounds.

ASK said although they used crude weapons and crude bombs, there was no confirmed use of firearms by the attackers. However, the organisation alleged that law enforcement opened fire “indiscriminately”.

“The violence in Gopalganj is a serious violation of human rights. The attack on a political rally severely undermines the right to peaceful assembly,” ASK said, calling for a thorough and impartial investigation.

Citing witnesses, the statement said NCP leaders delivered speeches criticising Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the Awami League. These remarks reportedly provoked the violence, which escalated into three hours of bloodshed.

ASK noted that indiscriminate arrests and detentions were carried out under curfew, and there have been allegations of extortion through threats of arrest.

Some residents have fled their homes out of fear, and law-enforcing officers are detaining people even in areas that didn’t see any violent incidents.

The report said that local businesses near the rally venue were ordered to be closed the day before, with some shopkeepers claiming that authorities forcibly shuttered shops and even confined people inside.

From the morning of the rally, local Awami League supporters reportedly positioned themselves at various city points armed with sticks and homemade weapons.

The victims who died from gunshot wounds were identified as Dipto Saha, 25, Ramzan Kazi, 18, Imon Talukder, 17, and Sohel Molla, 32. Another victim, Ramzan Munshi, died at Dhaka Medical College Hospital on Jul 18.

ASK said Imon’s family was forced to bury him without a post-mortem, under pressure from hospital authorities to take the body away.

His family identified him in a viral video allegedly showing army personnel stepping on his face with boots. They claimed he was not involved in politics and worked at a crockery shop.

Ramzan, Dipto, and Sohel’s families made similar allegations, saying they were pressured to bury the bodies without post-mortems.

After media reports came to light, police exhumed three of the bodies on Jul 21 for post-mortem examinations. ASK representatives were present during the exhumation process, which families described as “a new form of harassment”.

ASK’s team interviewed those injured in the rally, including one person who had been shot in the stomach and hand and lost a finger. He claimed he was simply travelling to work by rickshaw when he was hit by police bullets. He denied any political affiliation.

By Jul 21, police had reportedly arrested 18 minors, many of whom were charged under the Anti-Terrorism Act. Families claim the children had no connection to the violence.

According to ASK, eight cases were filed in connection with the clashes, including four at Gopalganj Sadar police station, one in Kotalipara, and one in Kashiani.

A total of 5,400 people were accused, 358 of them by name. Among those named, three are women and 32 are members of the Hindu minority community.

According to the Gopalganj General Hospital superintendent, 24 people received emergency care following the violence, including two police officers, and the Upazila chief executive’s driver.

Three critically injured victims Ramzan Munshi, Abbas Ali, and Sumon Biswas were sent to Dhaka Medical College, where Ramzan died.

The hospital superintendent told ASK that four individuals were brought in to the hospital, all of whom were dead before arriving.

At least two people who brought Dipto to hospital claimed he was alive and conscious upon arrival and even spoke to his family. He was later declared dead after being taken to the operating theatre, challenging the claim that he was “brought dead.”

ASK representatives asked how many of those injured sustained gunshot wounds, to which the hospital superintendent replied that it cannot be divulged without “examinations”.

He, however, confirmed that the police officers and the UNO’s driver did not have gunshot wounds.

At Gopalganj District Jail, officials told ASK on Jul 21 that 18 minors had been transferred to the Jashore Child Development Centre.

Along with that, 100 inmates were moved to Pirojpur Jail and 50 to Bagerhat due to overcrowding.

The jail authorities claimed that a group of “unruly individuals” attacked the prison around 3pm on Jul 16, damaging the boundary wall, guardroom, guest waiting area, and attempted to break into the armoury. They said 80 rounds of warning shots were fired before the army restored order.

The jail authorities informed ASK that during the incident, jail guards fired 80 rounds as misfires, after which the Army arrived and brought the situation under control.

Anticipating unrest in the city due to the rally, the prison authorities locked up all inmates around 12:30pm, avoiding any unwanted issues within the jail.

ASK reported that when their representatives visited Gopalganj Sadar Police Station, the chief behaved “impolitely”.

According to the Superintendent of Police, the violence that took place in the rally was “severe”. The police did not use lethal weapons but rather exercised restraint.

He said the APCs were provided to ensure the security of his office, and confirmed that 177 people had been arrested by Jul 20, including some under Section 54 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

As of Jul 20, no case had been filed regarding the attack on the jail, but authorities said one would be submitted.