Ramjan Munsi (32), a rickshaw driver injured during the violence surrounding the National Citizen Party’s (NCP) ‘March to Gopalganj’ event, passed away at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH). Munsi was critically injured by gunfire during the clashes on Wednesday, July 16, and was admitted to DMCH. He succumbed to his injuries around 1:45 AM on Thursday, July 17. With his death, the total number of fatalities from the Gopalganj violence has risen to five.
Ramjan Munsi, son of the late Akbar Munsi from Thanapara in Gopalganj municipality, was shot during the unrest. His brother, Imran Munsi, told reporters, “My brother was a rickshaw driver. On the day of the incident, around 2:30 PM, he was hit by two bullets while riding his rickshaw. He was first taken to a local hospital in critical condition and later transferred to DMCH around 12:30 AM.”
The DMCH police camp in-charge, Md. Faruk, confirmed Munsi’s death and added that two other individuals injured in the Gopalganj clashes, Suman Bishwas (30) and Abbas Ali (32), are currently receiving treatment at the hospital.
On the day of the incident, four others lost their lives in the violence: Sohel Molla (45), Dipta Saha (25), Ramjan Kazi (24), and Imon Talukdar (18). Dipta Saha was a member of the Jubo League. Hospital sources confirmed that gunshot wounds were found on the bodies of the deceased.
Dr. Jibitesh Bishwas, superintendent of Gopalganj General Hospital, stated, “Four bodies were brought to the hospital. Additionally, three critically injured individuals were sent to Dhaka for treatment.” Approximately 200 people, including 45 police officers and journalists, were injured in the clashes.
According to local authorities, the violence erupted on Wednesday afternoon when Awami League and banned Chhatra League activists allegedly attacked the NCP’s rally. The clashes led to vandalism, cocktail explosions, and arson, targeting police vehicles, the UNO’s convoy, and various establishments. To control the situation, Section 144 was imposed initially, followed by a 22-hour curfew from 8 PM Wednesday to 6 PM Thursday. A second phase of curfew was enforced on Friday, July 18, from 2 PM to 6 PM, with a three-hour break from 11 AM to 2 PM.
On Friday, Gopalganj town remained tense, with residents avoiding unnecessary movement due to fear of arrests. Most businesses were shuttered, though vegetable markets, pharmacies, and fruit shops remained open.
NCP convener Nahid Islam alleged that Awami League and Chhatra League activists carried out a planned attack on their rally. “We came to Gopalganj to call for peace and nation-building, not conflict,” he said. The NCP announced a protest program at the National Press Club in Dhaka on Friday in response to the incident.
Dhaka Division Commissioner Sharaf Uddin Ahmed stated, “There was no prior intelligence about the violence. Those who disrupted law and order will be treated as miscreants.” He added that 25 individuals were detained during joint operations from Wednesday to Thursday, and preparations for filing cases are underway.
The human rights organization Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) condemned the incident and demanded the formation of an independent and impartial investigation committee. “This incident poses a severe threat to democratic rights and citizen safety. Compensation must be provided to the families of the deceased, and proper treatment ensured for the injured,” ASK stated.
