Army used force in self-defence: ISPR
The Bangladesh Army yesterday said it was forced to use force in self-defence during Wednesday's clashes in Gopalganj after coming under attack from "a group of unruly people."
According to a statement by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) yesterday, a group of people carried out "organised acts of violence" in Gopalganj Sadar centring on a public rally called as part of a political party's month-long programme.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. The initial wave of violence left several police personnel and journalists injured, while government vehicles and public establishments were vandalised and set on fire, the statement said.
"As the situation quickly escalated, both the Bangladesh Army and local police intervened and were able to bring the situation under control," the ISPR said.
During the political party's rally, the stage came under attack once again, and simultaneously, the district jail was also attacked and extensively vandalised.
According to the statement, army personnel issued multiple warnings via loudspeakers, urging attackers to retreat.
"When those attempts failed and crude bombs and brickbats were hurled at army personnel, the army was forced to use force in self-defence," the ISPR added. The army, police, and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) then dispersed the attackers.
The statement also noted that the general public in Gopalganj showed restraint and cooperated with the army.
Those who had taken shelter at the office of the superintendent of police were later relocated to Khulna under the army's supervision.
"The Bangladesh Army remains steadfast in its commitment to upholding the country's sovereignty and ensuring public safety," the ISPR said, urging people not to pay heed to rumours.
On Wednesday, violence broke out in the southern district, ancestral home of Awami League leader Sheikh Hasina, when members of AL tried to disrupt a rally by the National Citizens Party (NCP), which is made up of students who spearheaded the unrest that toppled the leader last year. At least 4 people were killed and dozens were injured in the clashes.
Meanwhile, the Chief Adviser's Press Wing yesterday released a police report detailing Wednesday's events and the background behind the violence.
It said the NCP rally in Gopalganj was part of the newly formed party's month-long "July March to Build the Nation" programme to mark the July Uprising.
Around 10:30am, NCP leaders, including Nahid Islam, Akhtar Hossain, and others, departed from Barisal for the rally. By then, security forces were already deployed.
However, around 9:30am, suspected Awami League activists attacked police at Ulpur in the sadar upazila, injuring three officers and torching a vehicle.
At 11:00am, another group reportedly blocked the Gopalganj-Tekerhat road by felling trees and setting them ablaze. The vehicle of the Upazila Nirbahi Officer was vandalised during the obstruction.
Meanwhile, Awami League supporters blocked roads in other areas, including Kotalipara and Satpara, it said.
At 1:40pm, before the rally began, 50–60 activists of Chhatra League, which has been banned by the government, attacked the stage with crude bombs and weapons. They vandalised the stage and chairs.
Despite the assault, NCP leaders took the stage at 2:01pm.
Meanwhile, violence spread to other parts of the district, it added.
The NCP rally concluded around 2:50pm. As the leaders departed under security escort, their motorcade was again intercepted at Gopalganj Launch Terminal by another group. The attackers reportedly used sticks, bricks, and sharp weapons against the police, army, and rally participants. Several government facilities, including the district jail, were also attacked simultaneously.
The police report said that four people were killed, and over 50, including 45 police members and several journalists, were injured in the clashes.
Joint forces initially escorted the NCP leaders to the Gopalganj SP's office and later to Khulna via Bagerhat.
The report also said that around 7:30pm, a group of people allegedly took away the bodies from the hospital to prevent autopsies.
The situation in Gopalganj is now under control, the report said.
Comments