At least four people have been killed in violence surrounding a rally of the National Citizens Party (NCP) in Gopalganj and an attack on their convoy. The municipal park and launch ghat areas of Gopalganj city have become a battlefield with clashes, arson and shooting.
The administration imposed Section 144 to control the situation. But since that did not work, the interim government imposed a curfew in Gopalganj from 8 pm on Wednesday to 6 pm on Thursday.
A large number of police personnel have been deployed along with army and BGB members.
Earlier, top NCP leaders were blocked by Awami League attacks while returning from the 'March to Gopalganj' program on Wednesday afternoon. They later left Gopalganj under heavy guard from the army and police.
The NCP claims that the leaders were "attacked in a militant manner with the intention of killing them" and that "terrorists from the Awami League and its affiliates" carried out the attack.

On this day, there were sporadic clashes between law enforcement and the attackers.
Dr. Jeebitesh Biswas, superintendent of the 250-bed General Hospital in Gopalganj, confirmed to BBC Bangla that the bodies of at least four people killed in the clashes that lasted for several hours have arrived at the hospital.
Mr. Biswas also said that there were injury marks on the bodies of the deceased.
However, hospital authorities could not immediately confirm the names and identities of the deceased.
Many more are reported to have been injured in the clashes.
An attack on the Gopalganj Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) and a police vehicle was also carried out on Wednesday morning in connection with the NCP's program.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam claimed to BBC Bangla that the police tried to control the situation but did not use any lethal weapons.
Meanwhile, leaders and activists of the NCP and the anti-discrimination student movement held protest marches in various parts of the country, including Dhaka, Chittagong, and Comilla, to protest the attack.
BNP, one of the main political parties in Bangladesh, has expressed deep concern over the attack and called for the immediate arrest of those involved.
On the other hand, the interim government has stated that the attackers "will not be released without trial."

How the incident began
The NCP announced the 'March to Gopalganj' program on Tuesday as part of the 'July March to Build the Nation' program.
Tension had been brewing in the district since Tuesday night surrounding their program.
The attack took place at around 1:30 pm on Wednesday at the NCP rally held in the Municipal Park area of Gopalganj. However, the central leaders of the NCP had not yet reached the rally venue.
Several journalists present at the scene told BBC Bangla that the attackers vandalized the sound box, microphone, and chairs of the meeting stage, attacked the NCP leaders and activists present, and exploded cocktails.
Later, NCP leaders and activists chased them back, took control of the meeting venue and held a brief rally.
Jatiya Nagorik Party convener Nahid Islam warned at the rally that Awami League workers and supporters would be held responsible for the attack and that a response would be given soon.
"The Mujibists have obstructed us today. During the mass uprising, we said that if we obstruct, we will have to fight, we have to win that fight and we won that fight. Today we have been obstructed. We will respond to it soon, God willing," said Mr. Islam.

He added, "We want to ensure that no one is discriminated against in future jobs or anywhere else because of the name Gopalganj. But we will not allow Gopalganj to become a haven for terrorists."
While returning from the rally, a convoy carrying NCP leaders came under attack in front of Gopalganj Government College.
The attackers hurled a large number of bricks at the convoy carrying the party's central leaders.
At that time, the police fired blank bullets and tear gas to bring the situation under control.
Although attempts were made to evacuate the NCP leaders from the city under the guard of the police and RAB, they were brought back to the city under massive attacks.
A short while later, when an army patrol team reached the spot, they were also attacked. Journalists present at the spot said that the army personnel then fired blank shots to control the situation.
At one point, the convoy of NCP leaders was taken to the Superintendent of Police's office.

Leaving Gopalganj under military guard
After the attack on the convoy, NCP convener Nahid Islam, member secretary Akhtar Hossain, Sarjis Alam, Hasnat Abdullah and other top party leaders initially took shelter in the police superintendent's office.
There, NCP leader Nasiruddin Patwari told reporters, "When we set out, all the Awami League-Jubeir League people from the villages, Awami League people from all over Bangladesh came and attacked us. We are now in a blockade at one place."
The party leaders also alleged that law enforcement officers failed to play an effective role in preventing the attacks.
In addition, announcements were made over the mosque's microphones, "calling on terrorists to gather," Akhtar Hossain, member secretary of the National Citizens Party (NCP), told BBC Bangla from the scene.
Meanwhile, when law enforcement officers tried to disperse the attackers, they clashed repeatedly. Law enforcement officers fired blank bullets, rubber bullets, and tear gas to bring the situation under control.
Many people from both sides were injured in the clash. At least four people were killed. Hospital authorities could not immediately confirm their names and identities.
The district administration imposed 144 to control the situation. Later, around 5 pm, the NCP leaders left Gopalganj under heavy guard of the army and police.

Attack on police and UNO vehicles
There have also been attacks on the Gopalganj Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) and police vehicles surrounding the NCP program.
Meanwhile, around 10 am on Wednesday, banned Chhatra League leaders and activists vandalized and set fire to a police vehicle in Ulpur village of the upazila, Gopalganj Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mir Md. Sajedur Rahman told BBC Bangla.
After learning about the matter, Gopalganj Sadar Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) M Rakibul Hasan, accompanied by a magistrate, visited the scene.
On their way back from the inspection, the UNO convoy was attacked when they reached the Kangsur bus stand in Baultali Union of Gopalganj Sadar.
"We went there to check the security. Earlier, a police car was burnt. Basically, we went to check that and there was a cocktail explosion," Mr. Hasan told BBC Bangla.
When asked who carried out the attack, he said, "People from the Awami League."
While the officers were unharmed in the attacks, their driver was "slightly injured," Mr. Hassan said.

 A dull situation
Curfew has begun in Gopalganj from 8 pm and will continue until 6 pm on Thursday.
Speaking to some local media personnel, it was learned that Gopalganj town was largely deserted after evening. A few people returning home were seen isolated on the streets, but there was panic in their eyes.
RAB, BGB and the army are patrolling the city. They also told BBC Bangla about the increased presence of law enforcement at various important points.
Police say the situation is now calm. Additional surveillance is being carried out by setting up checkpoints at various points in the city.

NCP calls for protest
The NCP has announced nationwide protests on Thursday to protest the attack in Gopalganj. They also claimed that "the Awami League has been planning this for a long time."
NCP convener Nahid Islam announced the protest at a press conference in Khulna at around 9:45 pm.
He demanded an investigation into the role of the administration and law enforcement agencies in the attack. He also sought an investigation into the incident of the death in Gopalganj.
"No matter how many attacks and assassination attempts there are, the July March will not stop," said Nahid Islam.
BNP's concerns
BNP, one of the largest political parties in Bangladesh, has expressed concern over the NCP and the attack in Gopalganj.
The party's Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir expressed concern in a statement on Wednesday afternoon.
"The Awami League carried out the attacks to destabilize the country," he commented.
BNP has also demanded that the attackers be brought to justice quickly and given exemplary punishment.
The BNP Secretary General stated in the statement that people of all classes and professions, regardless of party affiliation, must remain united to prevent the rise of fascism in the country again.

'Will not be released without trial'
The interim government has said that those involved in the violence in Gopalganj surrounding the NCP program will be brought to justice.
This was announced in a statement sent by the government on Wednesday afternoon.
It said that the fundamental rights of citizens were violated by preventing the rally organized by the NCP on the anniversary of the mass uprising.
The government led by Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus has said that those involved in the attacks and vandalism on NCP, police and media vehicles will be identified and brought to justice as soon as possible.
"These heinous acts by the banned Chhatra League and Awami League activists will not go unpunished. Those responsible will be swiftly identified and justice will be ensured. There is no place for such violence against any citizen of Bangladesh," the statement said.
Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam said that the police are patiently trying to control the situation in Gopalganj.
"We are trying to calm down the unrest as much as possible with patience, we are now reinforcing (sending more police personnel) to bring the whole thing under control. We are not using anything lethal. So we need some time," Mr. Alam told BBC Bangla.