National Citizen Party (NCP) has been attacked and vandalised bythe banned Chhatra League organisation in Gopalganj.. They marched to the event grounds around 1:30pm on Wednesday with “Joy Bangla” slogans and attacked. The attackers set off improvised explosives and vandalised sound boxes, microphones, and chairs.
Witnesses say that it was raining when the attack took place. Local leaders of the NCP were at the rally stage and were waiting for arrival of central leaders for the event to start.
A group of Chhatra League leaders and activists then crossed the canal and entered the rally site in the municipal park. They threw improvised explosives, tore down banners, and began breaking plastic chairs and audio equipment, stirring panic in the area. Many NCP activists, shocked by the sudden attack, ran away. However, they managed to rally and when they advanced, the attackers fled.
A convoy carrying the NCP’s central leaders arrived soon afterwards and the rally began. The NCP has been holding the “March to Build the Country” programme since Jul 1 to mark the anniversary of the July Uprising. As part of this, the party is holding a rally and procession in Gopalganj on Wednesday.
Before the convoy of NCP central leaders reached Gopalganj, Chhatra League activists set fire to and vandalised a police vehicle in Ulpur area of the Sadar Upazila in the morning.
At that time, a few policemen were also beaten, said Gopalganj Sadar Police Station OC Mir Md Sajedur Rahman.
Then, around 11am, Sadar Upazila Upazila executive officer M Rakibul Hasan's vehicle was also attacked in the Kangshur area of Tekerhat Road. His driver Moin was injured as well.
Shortly before the NCP central leaders reached the rally venue in the Gopalganj town municipal park, the rally stage was attacked amid the rain.
Earlier in the day, Awami League and Chhatra League leaders and activists cut down trees and blocked the Ghonapara-Tekerhat regional road in the Gandhiyashur area of Sadar Upazila.
PT/RA
