The government has replaced the deputy commissioner (DC) and superintendent of police (SP) of Gopalganj following an armed procession and acts of vandalism by leaders and activists of the activity-banned Awami League and its affiliated organisations, who took to the streets carrying locally made weapons on Sunday.
Six platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel have also been deployed in the district to maintain law and order and ensure public security.
Earlier, on Sunday, Awami League leaders and activists brought out processions on different streets of Gopalganj town, carrying locally made weapons, including bamboo poles, sticks, machetes, Chinese axes, and tridents. Some of the participants wore helmets during the demonstrations.
The protesters chanted various slogans and held rallies. During the demonstrations, they vandalised a police armoured personnel carrier (APC) and a police box. They also damaged the signboards of the July Memorial and Hadi Square.
Feni SP Pratyush Kumar Majumder has been appointed as the new SP of Gopalganj, replacing Mohammad Habibullah, who has been transferred to Feni.
The Home Ministry announced the police reshuffle in the notification issued through its Police-1 branch. Deputy Secretary Tauseef Ahmed signed the order.
In a separate move, G M Sarfaraz, the incumbent deputy commissioner of Habiganj, has been appointed as the new DC of Gopalganj.
The Ministry of Public Administration issued the notification withdrawing Gopalganj DC Md Arif-uz-Zaman from his post and attaching him to the ministry.
In another statement issued on Sunday, BGB said the six platoons had been deployed under the government's 'In Aid to Civil Power' arrangement, following instructions from the Home Ministry.
The deployed personnel will operate in key areas of the district in coordination with other law enforcement agencies, based on the requirements and advice of the district magistrate, the statement said.
They will monitor the security situation, help ensure public safety and take necessary measures to maintain law and order, it added.