Authorities in Bangladesh have imposed heavy security measures to prevent further unrest after clashes between security forces and supporters of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resulted in four deaths and over 50 injuries. Hundreds of police personnel were deployed to the site of a planned rally in Faridpur by the National Citizen Party (NCP), a new political party formed by students who spearheaded the unrest that ousted Hasina last year.
The violence erupted when supporters of Hasina’s Awami League party attempted to disrupt an NCP rally in Gopalganj district, Hasina’s ancestral home and stronghold. Footage from the scene showed pro-Hasina activists armed with sticks setting upon police and lighting vehicles on fire as NCP leaders arrived for their “March to Rebuild the Nation” event commemorating the uprising against Hasina. Over 1,500 police, army, and border guard personnel were deployed to respond to the violence.
The deceased were identified as Dipto Saha, Ramzan Kazi, Sohel, and Emon, according to the Daily Star, citing Gopalganj civil surgeon Abu Sayeed Md Faruk. Hospital staff reported that eight others were being operated on for bullet wounds. Home Affairs adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury stated that 10 police personnel were also injured, and 25 people had been arrested in connection with the unrest.
Interim government leader Muhammad Yunus condemned the violence, describing it as “a shameful violation of their fundamental rights” and warning that it would “not go unpunished.” A committee has been established to investigate the violence, chaired by Nasimul Ghani, senior secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, which will report its findings within two weeks.
The Awami League party blamed the interim government for the deaths and injuries, claiming all gunshot victims were party supporters. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) also criticized the government for failing to maintain law and order. Meanwhile, the right-wing Jamaat-e-Islami party condemned the attacks on the NCP and announced plans for protests.
The violence highlights the volatile divisions remaining in Bangladesh nearly a year after Hasina’s ouster. The interim government faces criticism for failing to deliver security, and the country struggles to ensure stability and accountability. Hasina’s Awami League party was banned in May, and she has been indicted for alleged crimes against humanity linked to a deadly crackdown on protesters during the uprising against her rule. She was also sentenced to six months in prison for contempt of court.