Four killed as violence breaks out at Bangladesh youth rally

Armed forces were deployed, following a clash during a NCP rally, 16 July, 2025
Reuters

Violence broke out on Wednesday at a rally of Bangladesh’s youth-led National Citizen Party (NCP) in the southern town of Gopalganj, leaving four dead and more injured.

Promised reforms have stalled since the departure of long-time Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina who fled to India last August after deadly student protests.

Demonstrations have renewed amid deepening political divisions.

Muhammad Yunus, Nobel peace laureate, who took over as interim head, said in a post on X that members of the NCP, police, and media were attacked during a peaceful rally, with cars vandalised and 9 people injured. 

"Preventing young citizens from peacefully holding a rally to commemorate the one-year anniversary of their revolutionary movement is a shameful violation of their fundamental rights," he said, blaming Hasina's political party, the Awami party and its student group for Wednesday's violence.

Police and hospital officials did not immediately comment. 

Authorities have imposed a curfew, while the Awami League said on Facebook that one of its members was killed by army gunfire.

Security forces throw tear gas cans and sound grenades to disperse the Awami League supporters following a clash during the National Citizen Party rally, in Gopalganj, Bangladesh, July 16, 2025
Reuters

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