Gopalganj: BNP leaders' homes and a Grameen Bank branch torched in Tungipara, police SI hacked

Tension in Gopalganj shows no sign of easing. On Sunday (15 November), BNP leaders' homes, party offices and businesses were vandalised and set on fire in the district's Tungipara upazila. A Grameen Bank branch was attacked, and a police sub-inspector (SI) who filed a case over an attack on a police vehicle was hacked and injured. Meanwhile, the officers-in-charge (OCs) of 3 police stations in the district have been transferred.

Priyo News 24 cross-checked reports from Dhaka Tribune, bdnews24, The Daily Star, Jugantor, Prothom Alo, Dhaka Mail, The Business Standard, Ajker Patrika and Bangla Tribune, among others. Only facts reported by at least two separate outlets are included here.

Attacks on BNP leaders' homes and offices

The Daily Star, Dhaka Mail and bdnews24 reported that BNP and Jubo Dal offices in Tungipara were vandalised and set on fire. Dhaka Tribune and bdnews24 said the attacks spread to BNP leaders' homes and businesses. Bhorer Kagoj and Barta Bazar reported that the houses of 2 BNP leaders were set alight, and Prothom Alo also reported a fire at a BNP leader's home.

Plaintiff SI hacked

A few days earlier, Dhaka Tribune and Daily Sun had reported that a police vehicle was torched during clashes in Tungipara. SI Moslem, the plaintiff in the case over that incident, has now been hacked and injured, according to Jugantor, bdnews24, Bangla Tribune, Dhaka Tribune, The Business Standard, Channel i and Ajker Patrika. An update on his condition confirmed by more than one source was not yet available.

Grameen Bank branch set on fire

Dhaka Mail, Barta Bazar, Campus Times and Bbarta24 reported that a Grameen Bank branch in Tungipara was vandalised and set on fire. Earlier, Dhaka Tribune and The Financial Express had reported petrol bombs being thrown at a Grameen Bank office in Tungipara.

Administrative reshuffle

On Sunday, Gopalganj's deputy commissioner and superintendent of police were replaced with new officers, and 6 platoons of BGB were deployed in the district. Bangla Tribune and TOB News then reported that the OCs of 3 police stations in the district were transferred to Kishoreganj.

Fire in a neighbouring district too

The Daily Star reported that a BNP office was set on fire in Nazirpur, Pirojpur, which borders Gopalganj. Ajker Patrika said the homes and office of 2 BNP leaders in Pirojpur were vandalised and set on fire.

What is still unconfirmed

At the time of writing we had not found an official police statement on the identity of the attackers, arrests or a full count of injuries confirmed by two independent sources. For that reason, no one is blamed in this report. The story will be updated when new information comes in.

Timeline

• A few days earlier: a police vehicle is torched during clashes in Tungipara; petrol bombs are thrown at a Grameen Bank office.
• 15 November: processions and vandalism by the banned Awami League are reported; the DC and SP are replaced; 6 platoons of BGB deployed.
• Same day: BNP and Jubo Dal offices, BNP leaders' homes and a Grameen Bank branch set on fire; SI Moslem hacked; 3 OCs transferred; a BNP office burned in Nazirpur.

What happens next

With extra BGB troops and new officials in place, restoring law and order is now the administration's main task in the district. Priyo News 24 will report on cases and arrests over the attacks as they come.

Sources

This report was written in our own words using information from Dhaka Tribune, bdnews24, The Daily Star, Jugantor, Prothom Alo, Bhorer Kagoj, Dhaka Mail, Barta Bazar, The Business Standard, Ajker Patrika, Bangla Tribune and Daily Sun.