Protesters block Shahbagh demanding ban on AL
Protesters blocked the Shahbagh intersection on Friday after National Citizen Party chief organiser for South Hasnat Abdullah announced a blockade of the intersection demanding trial of Awami League and ban on its political activities from a rally held near the chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus’s official residence Jamuna in the capital after Jumma prayers.
The protesters blocked the Shahbagh intersection at around 5:00pm halting vehicular movement in and around the area causing huge traffic jam and public suffering.
Students, injured people in July uprising, leaders and activists of different political parties and political organisations, including Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Bangladesh Islami Chhatrashibir, Islami Chattra Andolan Bangladesh, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish, Inquilab Mancha, Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh, Bangladesh Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangshad and Amar Bangladesh Party participated in the rally responding to the call from the NCP leader Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority distributed drinking water among protesters and Dhaka North City Corporation sprayed water during the rally.
Addressing the rally, Hasnat said that it was a matter of shame that people still had to demand trial and ban of Awami League although nine months had passed after the ouster of Sheikh Hasina in the July uprising.
He said that the chief adviser was trying to arrange a meeting with political parties for consensus on AL’s ban.
He demanded that the government had to discuss the issue with the family members of the July uprising martyrs, injured and the victims of the AL regime.
Hasnat urged the anti-fascist political parties not to reopen the chapter of AL as it was closed on August 5.
He alleged that the interim government had failed to hear the call of the July uprising victims and announced the blockade.
Hasnat said that the blockade would continue till a gazette notification was published banning AL.
‘The second phase of our uprising will begin from Shahbagh,’ said Hasnat.
Earlier, on Friday morning the NCP leader announced the rally from the on-going sit-in programme in front of Jamuna which began on Thursday night.
Hasnat along with NCP convener Nahid Islam through Facebook posts on Thursday night called on all who had participated in the July uprising to take to the streets demanding a clear roadmap for banning AL hours after former Bangladesh president Abdul Hamid left Bangladesh for Thailand.
New Age
