A dense police presence in the Faridpur rally following violence between security forces and supporters of toppled PM Sheikh Hasina. Authorities in Bangladesh have deployed thick security precautions to avert a recurrence of additional political violence, following clashes between security forces and followers of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina that resulted in four fatalities and over 50 injuries.
Hundreds of police were stationed Thursday at the location of a rally set by the National Citizen Party (NCP), a new political party created by students behind the turbulence that removed longtime leader Hasina last year, local media stated. Their presence highlighted the tense political atmosphere that still dominates the polarised nation almost a year after the mass protests deposed Hasina from power.
During a rally in Gopalganj district on Wednesday, Hasina’s home district and stronghold for her support base, violence broke out when members of her Awami League party attempted to sabotage the rally.
Four individuals were killed and over 50 were injured in the skirmishes, local media said, quoting police. Videos in Gopalganj reflected pro-Hasina workers holding sticks, turning on police and burning vehicles as NCP leaders came in cars to the party’s “March to Rebuild the Nation” rally to mark the revolt against Hasina.
Over 1,500 police, supported by army and border guard personnel, were deployed to deal with the violence, the Dhaka Tribune said, referring to a police report. Armed personnel carriers were sighted patrolling the streets as security forces dealt with the unrest.
The English-language Daily Star, quoting Gopalganj civil surgeon Abu Sayeed Md Faruk, identified the four who died as Dipto Saha, Ramzan Kazi, Sohel and Emon. The newspaper said hospital staff had reported that eight others were undergoing operations for bullet injuries.
Home Affairs adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury stated that 10 police officers were also hurt in the clashes, local media outlets reported. He further added that 25 individuals had been detained in connection with the unrest.
Gopalganj streets were calm on Thursday, with shops shut and minimal traffic on the road, the Dhaka Tribune reported, as the authorities imposed a curfew on the district following the clashes.
The Gopalganj violence has highlighted the restive faultlines still present in Bangladesh, almost one year after Hasina was compelled to step down, taking refuge in exile on a helicopter flight to India, as the interim administration works to provide security.
Wednesday’s violence elicited threats of tough action from the interim administration headed by Muhammad Yunus, which has ruled the nation since the toppling of Hasina in August last.
Yunus made a statement on Wednesday that the bid by Hasina’s fans to sabotage the NCP rally was “a shameful abuse of their basic rights”, and threatened that the violence would “not go unpunished”.
The government announced on Thursday that it had formed a committee to probe the violence, which would be headed by Nasimul Ghani, the Ministry of Home Affairs senior secretary, and submit its report within two weeks.
