Gopalganj: The local administration has imposed Section 144 in Gopalganj from 6 am to 8 pm today, following a decision to relax the ongoing curfew during this period. However, educational institutions and public examinations will remain exempt from its scope. Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate Muhammad Kamruzzaman confirmed this development through an office order issued on Saturday night.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the curfew, which had a 14-hour break on Saturday, was extended for an additional 10 hours as a measure to maintain law and order and ensure public safety. The curfew will resume from 8:00 pm Saturday night to 6:00 am Sunday. Previously, the district administration had relaxed the curfew for 14 hours on Saturday, from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm, based on an order issued on Thursday night.
The imposition of the curfew dates back to July 16, following an attack on a roadside meeting of the National Citizen Party (NCP) in Gopalganj district. Initially, the curfew was active from 8 pm on July 16 until 6 pm on July 17. It was then extended in the second phase from 6 pm on July 17 to 11 am on July 18, with a brief break from 11 am to 2 pm on July 18, before being re-imposed from 2 pm on July 18 until further notice. The curfew was further extended in the third phase from 8 pm on July 18 to 6 am on July 19.
The local administration has indicated that further decisions on the curfew will be made after assessing the law and order situation in consultation with law enforcement agencies.