Dhaka: The government has established a six-member probe commission to delve into the violence in Gopalganj, which included attacks on various establishments and disruptions to public security centered around a scheduled rally by the National Citizen Party (NCP) on July 16.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the commission is headed by former Justice Dr. Md. Abu Tarique and includes Additional Secretary (Public Security Division) Khandoker M Mahbubur Rahman, Additional Secretary (Senior District and Session Judge) Law and Justice Division M Saiful Islam, Commander 21 Artillery Brigade Brigadier General Shahidur Rahman Osmani, Director of Central Police Hospital Additional Police Inspector General Sarder Nurul Amin, and Professor Dr. Sajjad Siddiqui, Chairman of the Peace and Conflict Studies Department at Dhaka University. This information was revealed in a PID handout.
The formation of the commission follows recommendations from a probe committee that was created immediately after the violence on July 16, which resulted in at least four fatalities and dozens of injuries. The commission's mandate is to uncover the reasons behind the violence, identify those responsible for the attack on the NCP rally, and suggest legal actions against those accountable.
The commission has the authority to include additional suitable members if necessary. The initial committee reported that supporters of the Awami League and the banned Chhatra League orchestrated a planned attack on the NCP's July March event in Gopalganj.
In response to the escalating situation, local authorities imposed Section 144 and deployed the army. A curfew was later enforced to restore law and order. The committee emphasized the need to investigate related incidents, including attacks on government establishments and disruptions to citizen security.
The Home Affairs Ministry's public security division will provide secretarial support and cover the commission's expenses. The commission is expected to submit its report and recommendations to the concerned ministry within three weeks.