In one of the most violent political crackdowns in post-uprising Bangladesh, multiple waves of coordinated attacks were reportedly carried out against leaders and activists of the National Citizen Party (NCP) during their peaceful “March to Gopalganj” programme. Evidence and eyewitness accounts suggest that the operation was not spontaneous—but executed under direct orders from ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who allegedly coordinated the violence remotely from India.
The NCP’s Gopalganj rally was a part of their month-long campaign titled “Desh Gorte July Podojatra” (July March to Build the Nation), which has been traversing through all 64 districts since July 1. However, the programme came under brutal assault as it reached Sheikh Hasina’s political stronghold.
A Master Plan of Political Terror?
According to internal party sources and corroborating local accounts, the ruling Awami League (AL) and its affiliated organizations had begun mobilizing thousands of activists in and around Gopalganj days ahead of the event. The goal, sources claim, was not merely to prevent the programme—but to ensure that top NCP leaders “do not leave Gopalganj alive.”
Highly disturbing audio clips—allegedly of Sheikh Hasina herself—have surfaced, in which she can be heard inciting violence and directing her loyalists to physically obstruct and eliminate the NCP’s leadership. In one such clip, Hasina is heard instructing Ataur Rahman Pial, the banned General Secretary of Gopalganj District Chhatra League:
“They claim they’ll enter Gopalganj. They’ve already demolished House 32. Now they’re targeting my father’s grave. Why are you all still sitting? Do whatever is necessary. Don’t let them enter. And if they do—make sure none leave alive.”
Another voice note reportedly addressed to Newton Molla, the banned District President of Chhatra League, instructs:
“They’re gathering forces from nearby districts to march into Gopalganj and head toward Tungipara. If they get in, make sure none of them come out alive.”
Waves of Violence and Strategic Coordination
These directives appear to have been acted upon with alarming efficiency. On July 16, as the NCP convoy entered Gopalganj city around 1:45 PM via the Dhaka-Mawa-Faridpur highway, coordinated attacks were launched on the rally’s stage and convoy.
In the early hours of the day, under Ataur Rahman Pial’s leadership, Chhatra League activists reportedly attacked a police vehicle in Char Durgapur, signaling the start of organized disruption. By the time NCP leaders reached the rally point at the Municipal Park, the entire area had been overrun by pro-Awami League mobs chanting pro-government slogans and violently dismantling the NCP stage. Banners were torn down, sound systems destroyed, and activists beaten with sticks.
Gunfire and crude bomb explosions targeted the NCP convoy. Similar attacks were launched near the DC office and district jail under the leadership of Newton Molla, reportedly aiming to free detained Awami League leaders.
Elsewhere, Masud Rana, acting district president of Jubo League, allegedly led an attack on the vehicle of the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO). Coordination was reportedly overseen by Hasina’s cousin and AL presidium member Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim from Kolkata, along with other senior party leaders in exile, including Abdur Rahman (London) and Iqbal Hossain Apu (Shariatpur).
Even Awami League’s women’s front was not left out—Yasmin Alam, wife of district AL’s organizing secretary Shafiqul Alam Kajol and a key figure in Mahila Awami League, was arrested for mobilizing female cadres for the attacks.
Weaponized Disinformation and Psychological Manipulation
The violence was preceded by a carefully planned disinformation campaign. False claims were circulated via social media alleging that NCP leaders intended to desecrate Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s grave in Tungipara. Although the NCP had no scheduled programme in Tungipara, the rumors were used to inflame public sentiment.
Loudspeakers from local mosques, including the historic Court Mosque, were used to amplify fabricated messages—claiming that the military and police were firing on civilians, resulting in mass casualties. This triggered panic and drew thousands of enraged locals into the streets.
From neighboring villages like Ghosher Char, Sonakur, and Raghunathpur, mobs poured into the city, armed with sticks, machetes, and homemade weapons. Meanwhile, trees were felled along the 20-kilometre road from Gopalganj to Tungipara to block potential NCP movement—despite no plan for such a journey.
Former State Minister Sohel Taj Breaks Silence
In a rare public outburst, former State Minister for Home Affairs Tanjim Ahmed Sohel Taj slammed the events in a Facebook post, saying:
“The clear objective of the attacks was to assassinate NCP leaders Nahid, Sargis, Hasnat, and Zarah. I wouldn’t be surprised if Devil Queen [Hasina] herself issued the orders.”
The Big Picture: Suppression by Any Means
According to local sources, Hasina held direct phone conversations not only with banned Chhatra League leaders but also with multiple AL, Jubo League, Swechchhasebak League, and Mahila League operatives, giving specific instructions to obstruct and destroy the NCP’s programme.
What unfolded in Gopalganj was not a spontaneous political clash—but a textbook example of state-enabled terror carried out under the cloak of public outrage and historical sentiment.
Despite all obstacles, the NCP vows to continue their district-wide programme, demanding justice and democratic accountability. Whether the government—or international human rights observers—will respond remains to be seen.
