Four days after the deadly violence centering around a political rally in Gopalganj, police have filed four separate murder cases over the deaths of four individuals.
Each case accuses 1,400 to 1,500 unidentified leaders and activists of the ruling Awami League and its affiliated bodies, bringing the total number of accused to around 6,000.
Confirming the development on Sunday afternoon, Gopalganj Sadar Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mir Mohammad Sajedur Rahman said the cases were filed by the police themselves on Saturday night, naming no individuals but pointing to large groups of ruling party supporters.
The violence had erupted on Wednesday amid growing tensions over the “July March” and rally of the National Citizens’ Party (NCP).
From Tuesday onward, political unrest had been brewing in the city. On the day of the rally, repeated attacks on the NCP procession triggered violent clashes between Awami League supporters and members of the police and armed forces.
The conflict quickly spread across the city, leaving at least four people dead and more than fifty injured, including nine with gunshot wounds.
The deceased from Wednesday’s violence were identified as Dipto Saha (30), son of Santosh Saha from Udayan Road in the city; Ramzan Kazi (17), son of Kamrul Kazi from Harinahati in Kotalipara; Sohel Rana (35) from Shanapara area; and Imon Talukder from Bherar Bazar in Gopalganj Sadar. Later, autorickshaw driver Ramzan Munshi, who had been critically injured during the clashes, died at Dhaka Medical College Hospital on Thursday night.
Police have indicated that a fifth murder case will be filed in connection with his death.
All five victims were buried or cremated without post-mortem examinations. Home Affairs Adviser has said that if needed, the bodies may be exhumed for forensic examination. However, no clarification has been provided on what would happen in the case of Dipto Saha, who was cremated following Hindu rites.
Two others—Sumon Biswas (30) and Abbas Ali (30)—remain in critical condition at Dhaka Medical College Hospital after sustaining gunshot injuries during the clashes.
According to police sources, Sub-Inspector Ayub Hossain filed the case over the killing of teenager Ramzan Kazi. The case statement describes that NCP activists were leaving their rally site at the Municipal Park and proceeding toward Madaripur in a convoy when, near the SK Salehia Madrasa area, they were attacked by a group of 1,400 to 1,500 Awami League leaders and activists. The attackers reportedly used firearms and locally made weapons to assault the convoy.
When police and army personnel tried to intervene, the attackers allegedly opened fire on them as well. Amid this, Ramzan Kazi was shot and critically injured. He was taken to Gopalganj General Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
The other three murder cases follow similar accounts. In the case of Dipto Saha, SI Shamim Hossain stated in the complaint that around 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Awami League supporters opened fire near the College Mosque area, and Dipto was hit by a bullet in front of the Milon Pharmacy. He later died in hospital.
Another case was filed by SI Abul Kalam Azad regarding the killing of Sohel Rana, who was shot near the launch terminal area. He, too, was taken to hospital but was declared dead.
In the final case, SI Sheikh Mizanur Rahman alleged that Imon Talukder (17) was shot and killed near the old Sonali Bank branch, also in the launch terminal area.
