Services remain halted as protest drags on

Supporters of BNP leader Ishraque Hossain have now been protesting for two weeks, demanding his appointment as mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation.

The movement's coordinator, Moshiur Rahma, announced that they will hold a sit-in protest today from 11:00am to 2:00pm.

At around 11:30am yesterday, the protesters gathered at the main gate of Nagar Bhaban under the banner "Dhakabashi" (People of Dhaka), blocking one side of the road and causing severe traffic congestion from the High Court intersection to Gulistan during peak hours.

Commuters suffered as vehicles lined up in long queues. Afzal Hossain, a government officer, said, "We don't need politics; we just want the road to be opened."

Protesters claim that despite two court rulings in Ishraque's favour, his mayoral responsibilities have yet to be handed over. A significant number of DSCC employees and officials have also joined the demonstration.

All entry gates of Nagar Bhaban have remained locked since the protest began on May 15. As a result, all civic services -- including birth and death registration, trade licences, and tax processing -- have been suspended. Even officials are unable to enter the building.

A DSCC official said, "As long as the mayoral issue remains unresolved, this deadlock will continue."

Meanwhile, the LGD issued a press release yesterday, stating that it is awaiting a Supreme Court verdict before proceeding with Ishraque's swearing-in.

Signed by Md Salauddin, public relations officer of the LGRD ministry, the statement said the division's legal wing informed that preparations for the swearing-in were underway following the High Court's dismissal

of a petition on May 22.

However, Ishraque filed a new petition on May 25, seeking an order to be sworn in.

Additionally, a leave-to-appeal petition was filed by a citizen challenging the HC verdict that upheld a Dhaka tribunal's decision and the Election Commission's declaration of Ishraque Hossain as the elected mayor. It has now been forwarded to a full bench of the Supreme Court.

Meanwhile, the full bench of the SC is scheduled to hear the appeal today.