Local authorities have extended the ongoing curfew in Gopalganj until today (Saturday) morning as an uneasy calm still prevailed on Friday after the town was roiled by widespread violence surrounding a National Citizen Party (NCP) rally on July 16.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Gopalganj district magistrate said the ongoing curfew will remain in effect until 6am on Saturday.
However, the curfew was relaxed for three hours from 11 am on Friday. It was reimposed indefinitely from 2 pm.
Police have arrested at least 90 people so far in connection with the violence as the death toll rose to five.
Police sources said that a case has been registered at Gopalganj Sadar Police Station for obstructing police work, vandalism, and arson in connection with Wednesday's clash. About 75 people have been named in this case along with 400 unidentified people.
The general public faced various kinds of suffering due to the curfew on Friday. Public life became miserable due to the closure of bank booths, markets, and other institutions. Insecurity also gripped the public.
Low-income people in Gopalganj were in extreme trouble. Rickshaw drivers, in particular, are unable to feed their families due to the lack of daily wage work. In such a situation, they demand that the curfew be lifted immediately.
Earlier on Wednesday, repeated attacks during the NCP's rally and march in Gopalganj led to clashes between Awami League activists and security forces. Eventually, the entire town descended into chaos.
Four people were killed during the clashes, with at least nine others shot and over 50 injured.
Among the dead are Dipta Saha, 30, Ramzan Kazi, 17, Sohel Rana, 35, and Imon, identified by his first name.
On Friday, 35-year-old Ramzan Munshi, an autorickshaw driver who was shot during the violence, died while undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, bringing the death toll to five.
Earlier, a 22-hour curfew began on Wednesday (July 16) from 8 pm. It continued until 6 pm on Thursday (July 17). It was then extended by another 24 hours and enforced until 6 pm on Friday (July 18).
A report from bdnews24.com adds, during the three-hour pause on Friday, the town saw signs of life return as traffic picked up and more people ventured outside. Some shops also reopened for business.
A noticeable number of easy bikes, battery-powered rickshaws, and other local passenger vehicles operated on the road near Launch Ghat, a key part of Gopalganj town. People were also seen traveling in cars and motorcycles for urgent needs.
A number of roadside and alleyway shops opened, although markets and most shops remained shuttered.
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