The National Citizen Party, along with several other political parties and groups, have begun mass rally on Saturday afternoon demanding trial of the Awami League leaders and activists and ban on the party鈥檚 political activities.
Students, individuals injured during the July uprising, and activists from a wide range of political and religious organisations, including National Citizen Party, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir, Islami Chhatra Andolan Bangladesh, Inquilab Mancha, Bangladesh Labour Party and Bangladesh Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangsad joined the rally that began at about 4:00pm.
They started gathering at the venue after 2:00pm on the day amid the on-going blockade that started on Friday.
Addressing the rally, Islami Andolan Bangladesh secretary general Yunus Ahmad stated that AL was a party of murderers, terrorists, and money launderers.
He demanded that no one should be allowed to do politics under the name of AL in the country.
Bangladesh Labour Party chairman Mostafizur Rahman Iran said that people in the country gave their decisions about AL on August 5 through the uprising.
NCP member secretary Akhtar Hossain said that AL leaders and activists carried out mass killings and were involved in crimes against humanity. 鈥楾hey have no right to do politics in the country.鈥�
He said that July uprising forces had become united again with three-point demand 鈥� declaring 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.
Protesters would not leave the streets till meeting the demands, said Akhtar, adding that the July uprising forces would protest against any initiative to rehabilitate the AL.
Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh joint secretary general Azizul Haque Islamabadi said that the government should begin the trial of AL for Shapla Square massacre, killings during July mass uprising and BDR carnage immediately.
Nine months had already been passed but the government had not done anything to ensure the trial, alleged Azizul and threatened the government of tougher movement if AL would not be banned within 24 hours.