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A decision will be made "soon", the interim government said Friday as demonstrators led by the pro-uprising party kept entrenched on mass sit-ins to press for immediate ban on "fascist" Awami League.
Firsthand accounts said different political parties and groups, led by the newcomer National Citizen Party (NCP), blocked Dhaka's mainline Shahbagh intersection, after an overnight demonstration on the demand for outlawing the Bangladesh Awami League (AL) on charges of what they called its past fascist rule and recent incidents linked to its comeback plans.
The protesters threatened to continue their agitation "for days or even months" if their demands went unheard. And the vows echoed through rallies in some other cities.
The blockade began on Friday afternoon following a rally held near the entrance to Minto Road, close to the Chief Adviser's residence at state guesthouse Jamuna.
The announcement was made around 4:30pm by Hasnat Abdullah, NCP's southern-region organiser, from the protest stage.
Leaders and activists from several political parties and groups, including Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Amar Bangladesh Party and Inquilab Mancha, joined the tumultuous demonstrations.
General students and members of the public also participated, carrying placards and festoons with slogans.
Meanwhile, the Interim Government of Bangladesh issued a statement on the day, indicating that it would soon make a decision after consultation with political parties regarding the demand for banning the Awami League.
"The government has taken serious note of the growing demand from political parties, organizations, and the public to ban the Bangladesh Awami League due to its autocratic governance and alleged involvement in terrorist activities leading to widespread human-rights violations," says the statement released by the Chief Adviser's press wing.
"Instead of cooperating with ongoing investigations, the party has been attempting to destabilize the country," the statement also reflects the charges brought from street squatters.
The government also acknowledges the significance of a recent UN report that highlighted terrorist activities carried out by AL leaders and supporters during the July uprising.
"Until a final decision is made, we urge everyone to exercise patience," the statement concludes to placate the protesters.
In another development, Law Adviser Asif Nazrul said the government can ban the party under the Anti-Terrorism Act and the ICT Act can be amended if it stands in the way of removing the party from the political landscape of the country.
In a Facebook post on Friday, he said the advisers had no disagreement over taking action against the Awami League.
He said the Awami League, which was ousted from power in a student-led mass movement in July-August, can be banned "swiftly and lawfully" if the political parties want it and the judicial courts give any verdict or review in the matter.
"Our demands have not reached the ears of the interim government. So we are now heading to block Shahbagh. We will remain there until our demand is met," Hasnat declared at the rally.
He also criticized the Awami League sharply, saying, "Even a hundred Pharaohs together couldn't match one Hasina. How Awami League is still considered a political party? We hear the Chief Adviser trying to consult political parties before deciding on banning the Awami League. But Awami League is not a political party in any sense."
After ex-president Abdul Hamid's escape, leaders and activists of NCP began a sit-in in front of the Chief Adviser's residence on Thursday night, demanding a ban on the Awami League. The protest continued into Friday, with a rally held following Jumma prayers.
The large public gathering demanded the ban on the Awami League, beginning the event with a recitation from the Holy Quran.
The gathering started around 2:45pm in front of the Intercontinental Hotel in Dhaka, with NCP leader Ashraf Mahadi leading the Quran recitation.
During a spot visit, an FE correspondent witnessed participants from Islamic and other political parties having joined the rally, while people of all walks of life taking part in the public gathering spontaneously.
Speaking at the rally, Mujibur Rahman Manju, chairman of the Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party), issued a strong call for the interim government to convene an all-party meeting within 48 hours to formally ban the Awami League.
The NCP declared that their protest against the ruling Awami League only just began and may continue for days or even months. Speaking from the protest stage, NCP's northern region organiser, Sarjis Alam, announced, "Our fight has just begun. We'll remain on the streets until Awami League is officially banned."
Braving sweltering heat after Friday prayers, supporters from various political and student organisations gathered at the protest site. Among those whose presence was announced from the stage were Ashraf Ali Akon, Presidium Member of Islami Andolon Bangladesh, and SM Farhad, Dhaka University unit president of Islami Chhatra Shibir.
Throughout the rally, demonstrators chanted slogans such as 'Ban Awami League', 'Catch the League, jail the League', and 'Dig the grave of Awami League' as some recited protest poetry over the microphone. Protesters also painted slogans like 'Who craves power, dies in the gutter', and 'Power or people?' on roads near Paribagh.
As the rally began under intense midday sun, many protesters became visibly uncomfortable. To ease the situation, city corporation authorities began spraying water from spray cannon to cool down the protest area and make conditions more bearable for participants.
The sit-in began around 10 on Thursday night in front of the Chief Adviser's residence, led by Hasnat Abdullah. He was soon joined by leaders and activists from NCP, Baisommobirodhi Chhatro Andolon, and other allied groups. Around 1 AM, NCP convenor Nahid Islam and secretary Akhtar Hossain arrived with more party leaders. Leaders and activists from Hefazat-e-Islam, AB Party, and Islami Chhatra Shibir joined the protest throughout the night.
After a nightlong protest, leaders and activists of different political parties joined the demonstrations near the Chief Adviser's residence on the morning.
Around 8:30am, from the ongoing sit-in in front of Jamuna, Hasnat Abdullah and chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari announced that the rally would be held after Jumma prayers in the Foara (fountain) area west of Jamuna.
Meanwhile, the statement from CA's press wing also added it is worth mentioning that, in response to public demand, the government has already banned the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), the AL student wing, which is widely accused of perpetrating violence and carrying out terrorist activities, under the Anti-Terrorism Act.
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