A case has been filed against 453 leaders and activists of the Awami League and its affiliated organisations under the Anti-Terrorism Act over violent incidents in Gopalganj surrounding a nationwide strike called by the banned Chhatra League.
The case names 153 individuals from the Awami League, Chhatra League, Jubo League and their affiliated organisations, while 300 others have been listed as unidentified accused.
Sub-Inspector Jalal Uddin of Gopalganj Sadar Police Station filed the case on Wednesday night.
Inspector (Investigation) Sirajul Islam of the police station confirmed the matter on Thursday afternoon, saying eight people had so far been arrested in connection with the case. They were later sent to the district jail through court orders.
According to the case statement, leaders and activists of the banned Awami League and its affiliated organisations took to the streets in Gopalganj on Tuesday, centring on the nationwide student strike called by the Chhatra League.
From the morning, they allegedly staged demonstrations at several locations, including Launch Ghat, BISC Bridge, LGED intersection, Mandartala, Bedgram Biswa Road, Palli Bidyut intersection and Kathi in Gopalganj Sadar upazila.
Armed with oars, shields, spears and locally made weapons, they allegedly blocked roads, set tyres on fire and vandalised covered vans, buses and business establishments.
The accused also allegedly blocked several sections of the Dhaka-Khulna highway in Gopalganj and the Gopalganj-Tekerhat road by cutting down roadside trees and placing them across the roads, as well as setting tyres on fire.
The blockades caused severe disruption to traffic, leaving commuters stranded and triggering panic among local residents, the case statement said.
It further alleged that on Monday night, activists of the banned Awami League and its affiliated organisations exploded crude bombs at several locations in the town, including the main gate of Gopalganj District School, the boundary wall of Government Women's College, the Passport Office and the gate of Government Technical School and College, creating panic among residents.
Later that night, activists of the banned Awami League and Chhatra League blocked the Dhaka-Khulna highway in the Bedgram area by setting tyres on fire and chanting various slogans.
