Gopalganj:Police have filed two separate cases under the Anti-Terrorism Act against 2,677 individuals in connection with incidents of violence, arson on a police pickup van, and road blockades in the Gopalganj district. The charges were announced on Friday afternoon.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the cases were initiated following daylong clashes and blockades during a nationwide student strike called by the banned Chhatra League on November 10. Activists from the banned Awami League and its associate groups held demonstrations with domestic weapons at the Gauhardanga Chowrangi intersection and key locations along the Gopalganj-Tungipara road.
In the first case filed at Tungipara Police Station, Sub-Inspector Moslem Ali named 224 individuals and identified between 1,500 to 2,000 unnamed persons, bringing the total number of accused to 2,224. In another case at Gopalganj Sadar Police Station, Sub-Inspector Md. Jalal Uddin charged 453 people, including 153 named individuals and 300 unidentified suspects, as confirmed by Sadar PS OC Md. Aminul Islam.
The incidents involved miscreants vandalizing and setting fire to a police pickup van, engaging in chase and counter-chase with police, and burning tires on the highway, according to police reports.