Authorities enforce curfew from Wednesday night to Thursday evening as political unrest spirals into street battles

A tense and chaotic situation unfolded in Gopalganj on Wednesday as violent clashes erupted around a scheduled rally by the National Citizens Party (NCP). In response to the escalating violence and deteriorating law and order, local authorities have imposed a strict curfew across the city. The curfew will remain in effect from 8:00 PM on Wednesday, July 16, until 6:00 PM on Thursday, July 17, in an effort to restore peace and control over the situation.

The unrest began around midday on Wednesday when members of the outlawed Chhatra League and activists from the banned Awami League faction attacked a motorcade carrying NCP leaders near Chourangi intersection in Gopalganj. Eyewitnesses reported that attackers hurled bricks and stones at vehicles from both sides of the road, leading to widespread panic among bystanders and supporters present in the area.

According to local police sources, the clashes soon escalated, with repeated incidents of violence taking place throughout the afternoon. Law enforcement officials made multiple attempts to disperse the groups involved in the attacks and push back the aggressive crowd. Despite these efforts, intermittent confrontations continued, creating a volatile atmosphere across key points in the city.

Residents described scenes of turmoil as shops were shuttered, public transport halted, and normal life came to a standstill. Local businesses closed their doors as news of the clashes spread, and families sought shelter indoors fearing further outbreaks of violence. Security forces have been deployed at various strategic locations across Gopalganj, including entry and exit points, in order to enforce the curfew effectively and prevent further gatherings or demonstrations.

The district administration confirmed that the curfew was declared as a preventive measure under emergency provisions to avoid further deterioration of the public order. Officials emphasized that the measure is temporary and intended solely to protect lives and property while allowing security personnel to regain control of the situation.

Meanwhile, no official statement has been issued by NCP regarding the attack on their leaders, though local party representatives expressed concern over what they described as deliberate political violence aimed at silencing opposition voices. On the other hand, leaders from the banned factions have not made any public comment following the day’s events.

As night falls over Gopalganj, the usually busy streets stand deserted under the watch of patrolling police and security personnel. Residents have been urged to stay indoors and comply with curfew regulations until further notice. Authorities have warned that any violation of the curfew order may lead to immediate legal action.

By Thursday evening, further updates from both local administration and police are expected regarding the situation’s status and any changes to the imposed curfew period.