Dhaka, July 17 (V7N) — Following a violent attack on the National Citizen Party (NCP) rally and motorcade in Gopalganj, the party and its affiliated student wings enforced coordinated road blockades across Dhaka and major cities throughout the country on Wednesday.

From the afternoon onward, major roads and intersections in Dhaka — including Shahbagh, Science Lab, Mirpur, Uttara, and Rampura — were blocked as NCP members, the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, and National Youth Power activists took to the streets. Demonstrators demanded justice for the attack and called for the perpetrators to be brought to justice under the law.

In several locations, protesters gathered wooden planks and tires, setting them ablaze to barricade key routes. The blockade created severe traffic congestion across urban areas, causing significant disruptions and hardship for commuters.

The protest action was halted in the evening when central NCP leaders were safely evacuated from Gopalganj with assistance from military forces. NCP Convenor Nahid Islam then issued an order calling for the blockades to be lifted, directing activists to “stay to the side of the road and continue the struggle,” as relayed by Northern Region NCP Coordinator Sarjis Alam in a verified Facebook post.

In Dhaka, Shahbagh saw a concentrated protest after 5:00 PM. After approximately an hour, demonstrators moved away from the road. Meanwhile, other flashpoints included Science Lab intersection, the front of the BNS Tower in Uttara, and the Rampura Bridge.

Protests mirrored the capital in scale and intensity across various regions:

Khulna: NCP and anti-discrimination activists blocked Shibbari intersection.

Chattogram: Demonstrators staged rallies and held protest gatherings at the city's 2 No. Gate area.

Sylhet: Students and activists staged blockades at key city intersections.

Cumilla: Students blocked the Dhaka–Chattogram Highway near Kotbari Bishwaroad.

Rajshahi: NCP members held rallies and street protests.

Munshiganj: At Bhanga, the Dhaka–Mawa Expressway was blocked near the Bhanga Highway Police Station. Tire fires led to traffic paralysis in both directions, affecting long-distance buses and trucks until the blockade was lifted after an hour.

Jahangirnagar University: Students staged a blockade on the Dhaka–Aricha Highway near the main campus gate.

Similar actions were reported in Barisal, Naogaon, Bagherhat, Noakhali, Jhalakathi, Narsingdi, Sunamganj, Manikganj, Nilphamari, Rangamati, Dhamrai (Dhaka), Amtali (Barguna), Feni’s Mohipal, Sherpur (Bogura), in front of Islamic University (Kushtia), Siddhirganj (Narayanganj), and Shayestaganj (Habiganj).

This unprecedented wave of simultaneous blockades marks one of the largest coordinated street mobilizations in recent months. While the immediate wave has ended, organizers have indicated that further demonstrations may follow if their demands are not met.

Law enforcement agencies have not released an official statement regarding arrests or injuries, though visible deployment remained high throughout affected areas.

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