Following an attack on central leaders of the National Citizen Party (NCP) in Gopalganj, a planned rally in Madaripur has been cancelled. On Wednesday night (July 16), the announcement was made via loudspeaker at Lakepar in Madaripur by Masum Billah, district coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement.

He warned that if the attackers are not swiftly brought to justice, the group will declare a long march to Gopalganj in protest. According to Masum, the assault on the NCP leaders was premeditated. As a result, the central leadership decided to cancel the Madaripur rally. A new date for the event will be announced later.

Earlier in the day, top NCP leaders were en route from Gopalganj to Madaripur as part of their nationwide campaign. However, they were attacked along the way by activists of the outlawed student wing, Chhatra League. Following the incident, local authorities in Madaripur tightened security ahead of the NCP leaders’ expected arrival.

Among the leaders scheduled to join the rally were party convener Nahid Islam, southern organizer Hasnat Abdullah, northern organizer Sarjis Alam, Dr. Tasnim Zarah, and organizer Meherab Sifat. Due to security concerns, their planned procession in Madaripur was called off.

Meanwhile, in response to the attack, protest marches and rallies were held in Madaripur. At the Lakepar protest, demonstrators demanded the arrest and exemplary punishment of those responsible for the assault on NCP activists in Gopalganj.