Why Did Bangladesh's Awami League Condemn 'State-Sponsored Repression' at a Rally?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- The Awami League condemned state-sponsored violence in Gopalganj.
- Four people were killed, and over 25 were injured during the protests.
- Sheikh Hasina described the incident as part of a larger conspiracy.
- The party has called for nationwide protests.
- There are ongoing concerns regarding public safety and governance.
Dhaka, July 17 (NationPress) The Awami League of Bangladesh has vehemently denounced the unrestrained assaults, gunfire, and brutal murders of innocent citizens by the country's law enforcement agencies in Gopalganj district.
The party reported that four individuals lost their lives and more than 25 sustained injuries during the violent suppression, as thousands gathered in Gopalganj on Wednesday to protest against the state-sponsored oppression instigated by the Muhammad Yunus-led interim regime.
Sheikh Hasina, the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, also expressed her outrage over the shocking event, labeling it a part of a larger conspiracy orchestrated by the illegal usurper, the murderer-fascist Yunus, and his associates.
"The mercenary forces of the murderer-fascist Yunus fired recklessly upon innocent civilians in Gopalganj. Consequently, several have been martyred due to law enforcement gunfire, with countless others severely injured. This reprehensible act of state-sponsored terrorism and thuggery unleashed by Yunus surpasses even the depths of medieval savagery. I categorically condemn, protest, and denounce this atrocious massacre and the terrorism backed by the state," stated Hasina, President of the Awami League.
She further emphasized that 'Bangabandhu' and Bangladesh are inseparable, asserting, "An assault on either will not go unanswered by the Bengali populace. Today, the people of Gopalganj did not remain silent."
In a separate statement, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader condemned the appalling events in which the army, law enforcement agencies, and trained militant-terrorists from NCP and Islami Chhatra Shibir (the student faction of Jamaat-e-Islami) indiscriminately attacked and fired upon the general public in Gopalganj.
"In July, a month marked by conspiracies and deceit, the illegal usurper fascist Yunus, with state support and in collusion with Jamaat-Shibir, is orchestrating NCP-led initiatives across the nation. In the lead-up to the violent occurrences in Gopalganj, NCP's duplicitous elements were making provocative statements and showing aggressive intent. Their underlying plan was sinister—targeting the mausoleum of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, in Tungipara, the very essence of Bengali identity," Quader noted.
When the 'conspiracy' came to light, the people of Gopalganj, motivated by their deep affection for Bangabandhu, took to the streets in protest.
During this public demonstration, the Awami League leader remarked that the army, police, and NCP-Shibir militant-terrorists launched assaults and fired indiscriminately, resulting in four fatalities and injuries to over 25 individuals.
"One army member was witnessed trampling on the lifeless, bullet-riddled body of a victim—an act that transcends all limits of barbarism," he added.
The Awami League has called on all party leaders and members to organize nationwide demonstrations and protest activities on Thursday, while preparing for the forthcoming 'Long March to Jamuna' movement.