Staff Reporter, The Voice
The burial and cremation of four people killed in police and army firing in Gopalganj were conducted under strict army surveillance. No inquest reports were prepared for any of the deceased. The bodies were buried without autopsies under the close supervision and orders of the police, administration, and the army.
Several viral videos on social media show the army directly overseeing the funerals. Relatives of the deceased expressed deep frustration over the situation.
They allege that due to threats and intimidation by the army, family members and neighbors were not even allowed to perform proper funeral prayers. Under pressure, they were forced to quickly complete the burial and cremation rites.
Investigations reveal that one of the deceased, garment trader Dipto Saha, was cremated at the municipal cremation ground on Wednesday night in a hasty manner under army watch. Romzan Kazi, assistant to a tile mechanic, was buried after Esha prayers on Wednesday night. Mobile phone trader Sohel Rana and crockery shop worker Iman Talukder were buried this morning at the municipal graveyard.
Following an NCP rally, Gopalganj city’s Municipal Park and launch terminal area turned into a battlefield on Wednesday with all-day clashes, attacks, and casualties. Four people were killed in the violence, and more than 100 were injured, including 9 who sustained gunshot wounds.
The clashes broke out after the NCP threatened to demolish the tomb of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and throw it into the Madhumati River using an excavator. Ordinary residents of Gopalganj protested this move.
One week before the rally, Awami League and Chhatra League leaders and activists were forced to leave the area due to police and army crackdowns. As a result, only ordinary civilians—farmers, laborers, and shop workers—participated in the resistance. These unarmed civilians were then fired upon by the police and army.
In protest, enraged locals chased NCP leaders and activists. Videos circulating on social media show law enforcement brutally beating protesters, including police, APBN, and army personnel. One viral clip shows a man being shot shortly after being detained, then held down with a boot on his throat until he died—sparking massive public outrage.
The deceased have been identified as:
Romzan Kazi (19), son of Kamrul Kazi from Harinhati village, Kotalipara, Gopalganj, Sohel Rana (35) of Shanapara,Dipto Saha (30), son of Santosh Saha from Udayan Road, Iman Talukder (24) from Bherar Bazar area of Sadar Upazila.
All of them were killed by law enforcement gunfire.
Sources at Gopalganj General Hospital confirmed the presence of both gunshot wounds and signs of physical torture on the bodies.
Dr. Jibitesh Biswas, the hospital superintendent, stated that four bodies were brought to the hospital. Additionally, three critically injured individuals were referred to Dhaka.
Dhaka Medical College Hospital confirmed the admission of Sumon Biswas, a young man shot in the abdomen and hand. He is a professional driver.
