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Joint security forces have arrested 45 people amid the ongoing curfew in Gopalganj following the deadly violence surrounding the National Citizen Party’s rally.
The detainees were sent to the district jail after a court appearance on Friday, according to Mir Sajedur Rahman, chief of Gopalganj Sadar Police Station.
Meanwhile, the curfew imposed in Gopalganj town after Wednesday’s unrest was relaxed for three hours from 11am. It was reimposed indefinitely from 2pm.
During the three-hour pause, the town saw signs of life return as traffic picked up and more people ventured outside. Some shops also reopened for business.
A noticeable number of easy bikes, battery-powered rickshaws, and other local passenger vehicles operated on the road near Launch Ghat, a key part of Gopalganj town. People were also seen travelling in cars and motorcycles for urgent needs.
A number of roadside and alleyway shops opened, although markets and most shops remained shuttered.
Traders, especially those dealing in perishables like fruits and vegetables, suffered significant losses due to two days of curfew. With shops shuttered, their goods began to rot.
Ratan Saha, a fruit vendor, said: “I’ve suffered heavy losses because I couldn’t open the shop during curfew. About Tk 30,000 worth of fruits rotted in the last three days. Though I opened the shop for three hours today, how much can I really sell in that short time? The rest will spoil too. We want things to return to normal soon.”
Law enforcers were on high alert as they patrolled the streets throughout the day.
Once the curfew was reinstated, shops closed again, vehicular movement declined, and foot traffic in streets and alleys reduced.
Earlier on Wednesday, repeated attacks during the NCP’s rally and march in Gopalganj led to clashes between Awami League activists and security forces. Eventually, the entire town descended into chaos.
Four people were killed during the clashes, with at least nine others shot and over 50 injured.
Among the dead are Dipta Saha, 30, Ramzan Kazi, 17, Sohel Rana, 35, and Imon, identified by his first name.
On Friday, 35-year-old Ramzan Munshi, an autorickshaw driver who was shot during the violence, died while undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, bringing the death toll to five.