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The National Citizen Party (NCP) leaders have left the district police superintendent’s office in Gopalganj in the Army’s armoured personnel carrier (APC).
Around 2:45pm on Wednesday, as their convoy was leaving the town following a rally, a large crowd ambushed the NCP motorcade near Gopalganj Government College in the Launch Ghat area, according to witnesses, reports bdnews24.com.
Earlier in the day, the party leaders had held a rally at the town’s municipal park amid several rounds of clashes and running battles between opposing groups.
As they departed the rally site under the protection of police and Army personnel, a large crowd reportedly launched an attack on their convoy shortly after it had moved a short distance.
Law enforcers then rerouted the convoy and escorted the NCP leaders to the district police superintendent’s office, where they stayed for some time.
Additional Inspector General (Crime) Khondaker Rafiqul Islam said, “NCP leaders and workers were stuck in the Gopalganj police superintendent’s office. When they were ‘cleared’ around 5:15pm, they left.”
He said reports of one person’s death were circulating, but the information could not be confirmed.
Witnesses at the scene described the entire area as resembling a war zone, with widespread unrest making it nearly impossible for residents to move from one place to another.
A video of NCP leaders boarding an armoured vehicle in the premises of the district police superintendent’s office has been circulated on social media.
The short clip shows NCP leader Sarjis Alam stepping out of an armoured vehicle and then re-entering it with Hasnat Abdullah, assisted by army personnel.
Shortly afterwards, NCP leader Akhtar Hossain arrived but was taken into a different nearby vehicle.
In another video, Convener Nahid Islam was seen getting into a similar armoured vehicle.
A journalist stationed near the police superintendent’s office reported seeing the leaders leaving in two vehicles, both heading towards the police line.
NCP Joint Member Secretary Alauddin Mohammad earlier told bdnews24.com, "NCP's central leaders have taken refuge in a nearby building after being attacked by miscreants. Later, we learnt it was the district police superintendent’s office.
“With the help of law enforcement, they are trying to cross the terror-prone area and join the next programme of the march.”
Since morning, the entire city of Gopalganj has turned into a battleground due to a series of attacks and clashes surrounding the NCP rally and march programme.
Shops in most areas have been closed due to panic amid the loud noise of hand grenades, sound grenades, and tear gas being thrown and the chase and counter-chase. People's movement has also been restricted.
The district administration has imposed Section 144 in the city.