Protests demanding a ban on the Awami League are still ongoing outside the interim government’s Chief Advisor’s residence, ‘Jamuna’. Despite over 10 hours passing since the demonstration began, protesters remain firm in their demands.
The sit-in started at 10 PM on Thursday (May 8), and by Friday morning (May 9) at 8 AM, demonstrators were chanting slogans like: “Ban Awami League,” “My brother is in the grave, why are the killers free?” and “One, two, three, four – Awami League no more!”
Leaders and activists from various organizations, including the National Citizen Party (NCP), Democratic Student Union, July Unity, and Inquilab Mancha, have joined the protest. Around 1 AM, NCP convener Nahid Islam and member secretary Akhtar Hossain arrived at the scene along with central leaders of the party.
As the night went on, members of other groups such as Hefazat-e-Islam, AB Party, and the central leadership of Islami Chhatra Shibir also gathered at the protest site.
At around 2 AM, Nahid Islam stated in a brief address, “The interim government’s first responsibility was to ban the Awami League. Even after nine months, we are back on the streets to demand action.”
Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inquilab Mancha, warned, “We will not give the interim government more time. Either ban Awami League, or be prepared to face the consequences—we’re ready to give our lives.”
In response, heavy police and RAB presence has been deployed outside the Jamuna residence. Barricades have been set up near the InterContinental Hotel area, and traffic through the road has been suspended.
