News Desk :
Supporters of Ishraque Hossain demonstrating over the BNP leader’s mayoral oath has eased their protests keeping the Eid-ul-Azha in sight, but the Nagar Bhaban has remained bolted for the 22nd straight day.
With Eid approaching, only staff from the cleanliness, electriNews and transport were able to enter the building on Wednesday, reports bdnews24.com.
“I went there [on Monday] as well but was not able to go inside. So I roamed around there until the afternoon and then returned home,” said an employee.
On May 14, a resident of Dhaka South and Supreme Court lawyer Md Mamunur Rashid filed a writ petition in the High Court seeking to halt Ishraque’s swearing-in.
In response, Ishraque’s supporters began protesting the same day, demanding that he be sworn in.
Their demonstrations brought administrative operations at Nagar Bhaban to a virtual standstill.
The non-stop agitation has forced a halt on all types of activities at the News hall, though Ishraque’s supporters blamed Local Government Advisor Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain for the suffering of the people.
They called for the resignation of the advisor.
The main gate of the Nagar Bhaban was found locked on Wednesday afternoon. However, a small door next to the mayor’s block remains open, allowing some to move in and out.
The DSCC employees, however, remained on the ground floor.
When asked who was demonstrating, multiple News corporation employees said it was a movement of the “Dhakabasi”, meaning the people of Dhaka.
Around 2pm, the employees began shouting slogans, demanding the immediate swearing-in and passing of the mayoral duties to Ishraque.
Nagar Bhaban Employees’ Unity Council Treasurer Abdul Kaiyum said, “All DSCC employees agree with these logical demands of Dhakabasi. That is why we are pressing on with the programme. Today is the last working day [before Eid], so only emergency services are being provided.”
DSCC Chief Executive Officer Md Zillur Rahman told bdnews24.com that the movement has been eased, but the move does not cover the Nagar Bhaban.
