The National Citizen Party, along with several other political parties and groups, continued blockade at Shahbagh crossing for the second day on Saturday demanding trial of Awami League leaders and activists who were involved in violence during July mass uprising and ban on the party鈥檚 political activities.
The blockade at one of the major crossings in the capital Dhaka that began on Friday afternoon halted 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 about 12:30pm.
A major mass rally is also scheduled for 3:00pm at Shahbagh demanding the banning of AL and its affiliated wings, along with its trial as a political entity.
A group of protesters on Saturday afternoon were seen chanting slogans pressing for their demands at the venue, where the protesters stayed at the night.
The protesters demanded the trial of AL leaders and activists, and ban on its political activities killings during July mass uprising, BDR carnage, Shapla Square massacre, and enforced disappearances carried out over its 15-year fascist regime.聽
NCP leader Hasnat Abdullah announced the mass rally late on Friday night from the ongoing blockade programme at Shahbagh crossing.
He further announced that simultaneous mass rallies would be held at every July Point across the country to press for a three-point demand 鈥� declaring 聽Awami League and all its affiliated organisations as terrorist groups and banning them; incorporating provisions in the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act to enable the trial of political parties such as AL; and issuing a formal July Proclamation.
Hasnat in a Facebook post on early Saturday urged the protesters not to block any highways and roads across the country except Shahbagh.
Earlier on Thursday night, students, political leaders and activists from different parties held demonstrations near the chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus鈥� official residence Jamuna, responding to calls from NCP leaders Nahid Islam and Hasnat Abdullah.
Participants in the demonstrations included students, individuals injured during the July uprising, and activists from a wide range of political and religious 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.
