Gopalganj Correspondent
The curfew imposed by the Gopalganj District Magistrate following the attacks, clashes and loss of life at a National Citizens Party (NCP) rally held in Gopalganj on July 16 has been relaxed for 14 hours from 6 am to 8 pm on Saturday (July 19). Even though the curfew has been relaxed, panic still prevails among the public. Many people are not leaving their homes even for emergencies. Most shops in the city are closed, and law enforcement officers are deployed at important points. This image was seen in various areas of the district city from Saturday morning to noon. When we went to the launch ghat area, we saw some vehicles parked but not many passengers. Some people were seen going here and there, except for a couple of shops in the Launchghat area, and the rest of the shops were closed. The same picture was seen in the city’s Barabazar, Chowringhee, Battala, Kalibari, BSCIC Industrial Park and Thanapara areas. Some people have left for emergency reasons, and the majority of them are daily wage laborers. When talking to a housewife who came to the market in the Borabazar area of the district town, she said, “After 3 days, she came to the market feeling helpless. Not many shops are open. She went to the market. Due to the low supply of products, the prices are comparatively higher, but she still bought them. If the curfew starts again, she will face problems.” When talking to an elderly man about the current situation, he said, “There is no curfew and there is absolutely no movement of people in the city.” I’ve done the shopping, but inside I’m terrified of what might happen. Meanwhile, law enforcement forces are deployed at specific locations throughout the district to keep the overall situation in the district under control. A large number of law enforcement officers are also deployed at various points in the Gopalganj suburbs. Law enforcement forces are deployed in the city’s Launch Ghat area, led by Additional Superintendent of Police Dr. Ruhul Amin Sarkar. When we talked to him about the overall situation, he said that the situation is now very normal. There is no curfew, due to which many ordinary people are leaving their homes. We are also conducting campaigns. However, we are working to ensure that no innocent people are arrested in the operation.