News Desk :
Awami League leaders and activists, whose political activities remain officially banned, have staged another rally against the interim government in Dhaka — the second in five days.
The demonstration began around 2pm on Friday in Tejgaon’s Nabisco factory area under the banner of Dhaka North City Awami League.
More than a thousand activists marched from Nabisco towards the Tibet factory area, chanting slogans in support of party chief and deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, and against the Muhammah Yunus-led interim administration.
Tejgaon Industrial Area Police Station chief Md Aslam Hossain said that security forces had tried to stop the gatherings earlier in the day, reports bdnews24.com
“In the morning, some people came out at GME intersection. We didn’t allow them to march. At that time, one Chhatra League activist named Niamul Hasan from Tejgaon College was detained.”
“And in the afternoon, Awami League supporters came out again in the Nabisco area. We are detaining them,” he added.
An onlooker described seeing “thousands of people” marching towards the Tibet factory area, chanting “Sheikh Hasina” and “Joy Bangla”.
“The Awami League brought out a procession with nearly 2,000 people,” the witness added.
Protesters were heard shouting slogans such as: “Sheikh Hasina, Sheikh Hasina”, “If Sheikh Hasina returns, Bangladesh will smile”, “Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu”, and “Remove Yunus, save the country.”
One Awami League loyalist said that activists felt compelled to take to the streets despite the risks.
“There is no way to survive just by staying home, so what is the point of staying home? That’s why, after receiving instructions, we came out with our people. Today’s Dhaka North Awami League procession had a huge turnout.”
“This illegal government is not letting anyone live in peace. The people’s leader Sheikh Hasina and Awami League leaders across the country are being harassed with false cases. We marched to protest this.”
Reports also emerged of several hundred Awami League activists marching in Dhanmondi on Friday.
Asked about the matter, Dhanmondi Police Station chief Kyshainu Marma said: “Many people are sending me photos of the rally, but we are not yet certain. We are checking.”
Friday’s action comes after a series of Awami League demonstrations in recent weeks despite restrictions.
On Aug 31, Awami League activists were seen marching from Rapa Plaza on Dhanmondi Road 27 to the street in front of Bangladesh Eye Hospital in Shankar. About a week earlier, several hundred party members had demonstrated at the south gate of Baitul Mukarram Mosque in Gulistan.
Awami League chief Hasina fled to India on Aug 5, 2024, after a student-led mass uprising overthrew her government after more than 15 years in power. An interim government helmed by Yunus was formed three days later, on Aug 8.
Since then, a series of arrests, targeting Awami League ministers, state ministers, top leaders and influential MPs, have been made. Some leaders from the party’s alliance partners have also been detained.
Most senior Awami League figures, however, remain in hiding, leaving them absent from regular political activities.
Since taking office, the interim government has launched initiatives to try Hasina and other Awami League leaders for crimes against humanity, including allegations of killing hundreds of people during a crackdown on last year’s anti-government protests.
Until those trials are concluded, all Awami League political activities have been officially banned.
Nevertheless, flash processions by party activists have continued to erupt in Dhaka and across the country. Police have at times detained participants during these rallies.
