Police vehicle torched during Chhatra League procession in Tungipara, eight arrested

A chase and counter-chase between police and activists, and the torching of a police vehicle, took place during a procession with sticks and oars by the banned organisation Chhatra League in Tungipara, Gopalganj, centred on the observance of a nationwide student strike.

At around 10:30am on Tuesday, a large number of leaders and activists gathered at the Tungipara intersection with sticks and oars at the initiative of the upazila Chhatra League.

There they set tyres on fire and demonstrated. Leaders and activists of the upazila Awami League, Jubo League and other affiliated organisations also gathered with them and brought out a procession with sticks and oars.

When police tried to stop them, a chase and counter-chase broke out between the two sides. At one stage, the agitated activists set a police vehicle on fire. Later, a large number of activists took positions with sticks and oars at the Tungipara intersection and surrounding areas and demonstrated.

Following the incident, additional members of the law enforcement agencies were sent from Gopalganj. As of 12:30pm, when this report was being written, tension was continuing in Tungipara.

Centred on the strike, leaders and activists of the banned Chhatra League exploded cocktails and created blockades by setting fire on roads at various places in Gopalganj on Monday night. They exploded cocktails at several places, including the main gate of the district school in the town, the wall of the Government Mohila College, the wall of the passport office, and the gate of the Government Technical School and College. These incidents spread panic among local people.

In addition, activists of the banned Awami League and the banned Chhatra League blocked the Dhaka-Khulna highway in the Bedgram area of the town by setting fire on it, chanting various slogans. Reports of torch processions and cocktail explosions have also come from Kotalipara.

Gopalganj Superintendent of Police Md. Habibullah said that in connection with these incidents, police have arrested eight people, seized seven motorcycles and recovered 15 unexploded cocktails.

The superintendent of police said that apart from a few isolated incidents on Tuesday, the law and order situation in the district has remained normal.

Cocktail explosions and arson have been taking place in Gopalganj and various other parts of the country since Monday night, centred on the student strike called by the banned Chhatra League. Law enforcement agencies have deployed additional personnel to keep the situation under control.