Bangladesh’s Home Affairs Adviser, Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, has stated that arrests in Gopalganj are strictly targeting individuals involved in criminal activities, refuting claims of indiscriminate detentions. The arrests follow violent clashes in the district on July 16, which left five dead and dozens injured, prompting a swift law enforcement response to restore calm.
The violence in Gopalganj, sparked by an attack on a National Citizen Party (NCP) rally by supporters of the banned Awami League and its affiliates, led to widespread vandalism and road blockades. Police have filed four cases against over 2,500 individuals, with 283 arrests made across Gopalganj’s Sadar, Kotalipara, Kashiani, and Muksudpur areas as of July 19. Charges include arson, assault on police, and anti-state activities.
The Home Ministry has instructed law enforcement to maintain updated lists of offenders and ensure accountability, addressing concerns from groups like the University Teachers’ Network about potential political targeting. To bolster public safety, patrols and checkpoints have been intensified, with additional measures like procuring motorcycles for rapid police response in high-risk zones.
A curfew, extended until July 20 with brief relaxations, has left Gopalganj tense, with residents facing economic hardship due to restricted movement and business closures. The government insists that only those with evidence of involvement in the violence are being detained, as it works to balance security and human rights amid ongoing political and social challenges.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, July 21st, 2025
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