Clashes, arson rock Gopalganj over Chhatra League strike

Clashes, road blockades and arson attacks broke out in several parts of Gopalganj over a strike called by the banned Bangladesh Chhatra League, prompting the deployment of six additional platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).

The unrest began on Monday night and continued until Tuesday afternoon, with reports of clashes, crude bomb explosions and vehicles being set on fire in different areas.

In Gopalganj town, supporters of the banned organisation blocked roads by setting vehicle tyres on fire at several locations, including the Bishi Bridge area and the Launch Ghat. The blockades disrupted traffic and triggered several rounds of chases and counter-chases between protesters and police, local journalists said.

Several sections of the Dhaka-Khulna highway were also blocked.

In Tungipara, Chhatra League activists gathered at Patgati Bus Stand on Tuesday morning, staged protests and set tyres on fire to block the road. The local Jubo Dal office was also vandalised during the unrest.

Police later fired tear gas to bring the situation under control. Amid the violence, a police pickup was set on fire near GT Government High School, leaving several police personnel injured, according to police.

Police also fired tear gas to disperse protesters who had blocked different points on the road between Patgati Bus Stand and Chowrangi Bazar with bamboo barricades.

In Kashiani, protesters set fires on roads to enforce blockades, while reports also emerged of torch processions and crude bomb explosions in Kotalipara.

Local journalists said banned Chhatra League leaders and activists had staged sudden processions, attempted to block highways and triggered several crude bomb explosions in the district headquarters and different upazilas since Monday night.

Police said they had arrested eight people and recovered at least 15 unexploded crude bombs during operations launched to restore order by Tuesday morning.

They also confirmed six crude bomb explosions in Kashiani, Kotalipara and Gopalganj Sadar.

Gopalganj Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Arif-uz-Zaman told BBC Bangla on Tuesday afternoon that the situation had returned to normal. However, six additional platoons of BGB had been deployed as a precaution.

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Chhatra League, Jubo League activists beat up 3 policemen in Gopalganj

In a press release, Superintendent of Police Mohammad Habibullah said police had quickly brought under control attempts to create disorder on the highways.

He said traffic on the Dhaka-Khulna highway was now normal and the overall law and order situation across the district remained under police control.