Anti-Discrimination Student Movement calls nationwide blockade

The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement has announced a nationwide blockade in protest of an attack on leaders of the National Citizen Party (NCP) during a rally in Gopalganj.

The announcement was made on Wednesday via a Facebook post by the movement’s president, Rashidul Islam Rifat. He stated that blockade programs will be held at key locations across the country.

“In protest of the attack on our leaders in Gopalganj, the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement is declaring a blockade at important points nationwide,” Rifat wrote. “We call on all our units to coordinate with local student organizations, political parties, and the general student community to carry out the program.”

The protest follows a violent clash in Gopalganj on Tuesday afternoon. According to the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, as NCP leaders were returning from a rally, their motorcade was attacked in the Launchghat area around 2:45 PM. The assailants, alleged to be activists from the banned Awami League and its student wing Chhatra League, blocked the road and launched the assault.

Police intervened, but clashes ensued between the two sides. Law enforcement and military personnel reportedly used rubber bullets and tear gas to control the situation. Protesters also threw bricks and stones at the convoy, damaging several vehicles.

Eyewitnesses said police and military forces eventually withdrew from the scene with the NCP leaders for safety.

As of press time, neither the Awami League nor Chhatra League had issued a formal response to the allegations.

The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement has called for continued demonstrations until those responsible are held accountable.