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Protesters, including students, leaders and activists of different political parties, on Friday afternoon blocked the Shahbagh crossing in the capital Dhaka after holding a rally near chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus’s official residence Jamuna to demand trial of the Awami League and ban on its political activities.

Protest demonstrations were also held in other cities, including Khulna, Rajshahi, Sylhet, and Moulvibazar, with the same demands.

The protesters blocked the Shahbag crossing at around 5:00pm halting vehicular movement on the adjacent thoroughfares creating huge traffic jams in the nearby areas causing public sufferings. The blockade was in progress when this report was being written at 10:00pm.

Protesters, however, said that they would not leave the streets until their demand was met.

Amid the blockade, NCP convener Nahid Islam in his Facebook post said, ‘The demonstration in Shahbagh will continue. … Blockades have been launched at various places in Dhaka city. If a decision is not made soon, the entire Bangladesh will march in Dhaka city again.’

NCP chief organiser for North Sarjis Alam in his Facebook post said, ‘All political parties except BNP [Bangladesh Nationalist Party] and its affiliates are now in Shahbagh. The unity of July will be re-established if BNP joins. A united Shahbagh awaits BNP.’

Earlier in the day, National Citizen Party chief organiser for South Hasnat Abdullah announced the blockade at a rally near the CA’s official residence Jamuna after the Jumma prayers.

The interim government, however, issued a statement on Friday, saying that it had taken a serious note of the demand from political parties, organisations and public members to ban the AL due to its autocratic rule and widespread human rights violations.

‘The government will soon take a decision on this demand in consultation with political parties. In this regard, the government is giving due consideration to the UN report that has highlighted the terrorist activities of AL leaders and supporters during the July uprising,’ read the statement, urging all to have patience until a decision is taken.

The statement also read that the government has plans to immediately amend  the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act to incorporate provisions for the trial of associations and political parties associated with and connected to crimes against humanity.

Students, people injured in the July uprising, leaders and activists of different political parties and organisations, including Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir, Islami Chhatra Andolan Bangladesh, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish, Inquilab Mancha, Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh, Bangladesh Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangsad, and Amar Bangladesh Party, were present at the demonstrations in response to the call from the NCP leader.

Earlier, Hasnat along with NCP convener Nahid Islam and others gathered in front of the CA residence on Thursday night and started a sit-in programme to demand a clear road map for banning the Awami League.

Leaders and activists of various political parties and organisations, too, took part in the sit-in.

However, during a visit to the Friday rally near Jamuna it was seen that the Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority distributed drinking water among the protesters while the Dhaka North City Corporation later sprayed water on the participants and around the gathering using spray cannons amid an extreme hot weather.

Addressing the rally, Hasnat said it is a matter of shame that we have to demand trial of AL and its ban after nine months of the July uprising that forced Sheikh Hasina to flee to India bringing an end to the 15-year AL regime.

He said the chief adviser is trying to arrange a meeting with political parties for a consensus on AL ban. But, Hasnat demanded, the government must discuss the issue with the family members of the July uprising martyrs, injured and the victims during the fascist regime.

Hasnat urged the anti-fascist political parties not to reopen the chapter of the AL as it was closed on August 5.

He said that as the interim government has failed to note the call from the July uprising victims so they have announced the blockade.

Hasnat said the blockade will continue till a gazette notification is published banning AL.

‘The second phase of our uprising will begin from Shahbagh,’ said Hasnat.

Addressing the rally, Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh joint secretary general Azizul Haque Islamabadi said people will not return home until the AL ban.

Islami Andolan Bangladesh presidium member Ashraf Ali Akon said they are not only demanding the AL’s ban and arrest of the leaders and activists of the party but also trials and exemplary punishments.

‘Trial must be ensured before the election,’ demanded Ashraf.

Amar Bangladesh Party chair Mujibur Rahman Bhuiyan Manju demanded of the government to call an all-party meeting within 48 hours to ban the AL.

He also demanded of the government to incorporate provisions in the ICT Act for trial political parties as well. 

After the rally near CA’s residence, the protesters blocked the Shahbagh crossing at around 5:00pm after Hasnat’s call.

A group of protesters also blocked the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway in Uttara for about an hour with the same demand, said Dhaka Metropolitan Police Uttara traffic division deputy commissioner Anwar Sayed.

Meanwhile, several hundred students held a rally at Talaimari crossing in Rajshahi city demanding trial of Awami League and ban on its political activities, ¶¶Òõ¾«Æ· Staff Correspondent in Rajshahi reported.

Mujahid Faisal, general secretary of the Rajshahi University unit of Chhatra Shibir, warned law adviser Asif Nazrul, stating, ‘If the AL is not banned and its perpetrators are not tried, the same fate that Sheikh Hasina met – dragging her from power and forcing her and her cohorts to flee – awaited others.’

Besides, leaders and activists of the NCP and Students Against Discrimination staged sit-in in front of Sylhet deputy commissioner office in the Court Point area demanding trial and ban of AL, reported ¶¶Òõ¾«Æ· Correspondent in Sylhet.