Hasnat Abdullah announces ‘Shahbagh blockade’ programme

Hasnat Abdullah, Chief Organizer for the Southern Region of the National Citizen Party (NCP), has announced a ‘Shahbagh Blockade’ programme demanding a ban on the Awami League.

The announcement came during a mass rally organized by the NCP on Friday (May 9) near the InterContinental Hotel in Dhaka, where the party called for the Awami League to be outlawed.

The rally began around 2:45 PM and drew participation from members of various political parties, as well as students and citizens, many of whom were seen holding placards and festoons.

Since Thursday night (May 8), NCP activists have been staging a sit-in protest in front of the Jamuna State Guest House, the official residence of the Chief Adviser of the interim government, demanding the Awami League be banned. As of Friday morning and continuing into the day, NCP members were seen demonstrating at the main gate of Jamuna, chanting slogans against the Awami League and Sheikh Hasina.

Earlier on Friday, Hasnat Abdullah had also announced a major public gathering following Friday prayers near the Mintu Road fountain to press for the same demand. He urged people of all affiliations to join the ongoing protest near Jamuna and participate in the Shahbagh blockade.