Bangladesh in Flames: Hasina Loyalists and Police Clashes



Deadly street clashes erupted this week in Gopalganj, southern Bangladesh, as supporters of the exiled former prime minister Sheikh Hasina confronted police and army units in one of the most violent episodes since last year's historic “July Revolution.” At least four people have been killed and dozens injured, prompting authorities to impose an indefinite curfew in a bid to restore order.


The violence began on July 16th, when the National Citizen Party (NCP)-a new group led by former student activists from the 2024 uprising—held a commemorative march marking the anniversary of Hasina’s ouster. Gopalganj, the powerful family seat and birthplace of Bangladesh’s founding father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, is not only a historic Awami League stronghold but also a symbolic heart of the Hasina dynasty. Tensions were at a breaking point as NCP rally-goers moved near the mausoleum of Mujib, a site Awami supporters consider sacred.


Local Awami League loyalists, many affiliated with the previously banned student group Chhatra League, mobilized to “defend the sanctity” of Mujib’s resting place. As the NCP convoy of some 20 vehicles passed through Ulpur Bazaar, witnesses reported that pro-Hasina activists attacked with sticks and bricks, setting vehicles ablaze. Police initially responded with batons but soon fired live ammunition when the situation spiraled, especially after the crowd tried to storm a police compound where NCP leaders had sought safety.


By the day’s end, four fatalities were confirmed with at least 50 civilians and 9 police officers reportedly injured. Two police vehicles were torched and the city center at one point resembled a war zone. Authorities imposed a 22-hour curfew, later extended indefinitely, allowing residents only a three-hour break each day to buy essentials. Security sweeps led by joint police-army teams resulted in at least 45 arrests; police have filed terrorism charges against over 500 suspects, naming Chhatra League district leaders among others. A three-member government team was appointed to investigate and is expected to report findings within 30 days.


Both sides issued sharply contrasting statements. In exile in New Delhi, Sheikh Hasina condemned the government for what she labeled “state-sponsored terrorism,” accusing interim leader Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus of attempting to erase her family’s legacy. “My supporters are defending Bangabandhu’s final resting place from those who want to rewrite our nation’s history,” she declared in a televised message.


Meanwhile, interim leader Yunus called the violence “indefensible” and blamed the now-banned Awami League for instigating unrest, vowing to ensure NCP and other groups’ right to peaceful assembly. Yunus defended the suspension of the Awami League last year, citing crimes against humanity and corruption allegations. The events, he warned, threaten to derail elections set for April 2026—a timeline he aims to keep despite rising instability.


International reactions were swift but cautious. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for restraint, voicing support for Bangladesh’s electoral roadmap. The United Nations Human Rights Office called for impartial investigations and condemned reported attacks on journalists, while Human Rights Watch warned the sweeping curfew could worsen humanitarian challenges.


The Gopalganj crisis is the bloodiest episode since the July 2024 student-led uprising that toppled Hasina after 15 years in power. That revolt, driven by allegations of authoritarianism and graft, led Hasina to flee to India on 5 August 2024 and saw the appointment days later of Yunus as interim head of government. Subsequently, the Awami League was banned and many of its resources frozen, driving loyalists underground and raising the stakes for any encounter in core Awami regions like Gopalganj.


The stakes are high. Gopalganj is not just a flashpoint for Bangladesh’s memory politics; it sits astride key commercial routes vital to the multi-billion-dollar garment export industry. Prolonged shutdowns could paralyze trade and ripple through regional supply chains. International observers are also concerned about migration surges, given Gopalganj’s proximity to border regions already stressed by Rohingya and minority Hindu refugee movements during previous crises.


The interim government’s response has focused on security and prosecution. Those involved in the clashes—including 75 named and up to 500 unnamed suspects—face charges under Bangladesh’s tough Anti-Terrorism Act. Sweeping patrols and house-to-house searches continue, even as anger simmers among Awami supporters who feel politically and economically marginalized.


As the country grapples with this new wave of unrest, Bangladesh faces profound questions about its future. Can elections proceed as planned by April 2026? Will the interim government’s hardline measures push more Hasina loyalists toward radicalization? Can Yunus bridge bitter divisions and deliver on reform promises? Most agree the answers will shape not just the fate of this South Asian nation, but the broader stability of the region in months to come.


Key Timeline of the Gopalganj Unrest:

July 16, 2025: Pro-Hasina loyalists and NCP clash in Gopalganj. Police fire live rounds; multiple deaths and injuries.

July 17–18, 2025: Curfew imposed and extended; mass arrests and anti-terrorism charges filed.

July 18, 2025: Home Ministry announces formal inquiry; situation tense but largely contained.


Is Hasina planning to return?

Hasina says she "hopes to return when democracy is restored,” but Indian sources say her presence could be destabilizing at this stage.

For now, Gopalganj’s scarred streets and silent curfew serve as stark reminders that Bangladesh’s hard-won revolution is far from over—and the struggle for its soul continues.

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