Over 2,600 sued over violence in Gopalganj

Police have filed two separate cases under the Anti-Terrorism Act against 2,677 people in connection with violence, the torching of a police pickup van and road blockades in Gopalganj district, police said on Friday afternoon.

The cases follow daylong clashes and blockades during a nationwide student strike called by the banned Chhatra League on 10 November, when supporters of the activities-banned Awami League and its associate organisations staged demonstrations carrying domestic weapons at the Gauhardanga Chowrangi intersection and key points along the Gopalganj-Tungipara road.

At Tungipara Police Station, Sub-Inspector Moslem Ali filed a case naming 224 individuals and accusing another 1,500 to 2,000 unidentified people, bringing the total number of accused to 2,224.

In a separate case filed at Sadar Police Station, Sub-Inspector Md Jalal Uddin sued 453 people, including 153 named and 300 unidentified individuals, confirmed Officer-in-Charge Md Aminul Islam.

Miscreants vandalised and set fire to a police pickup van, engaged in chases and counter-chases with police, and burned tyres on the highway, police said.