Demanding a ban on the Awami League, different political parties and student organisations blocked the capital's Shahbagh intersection yesterday afternoon and vowed not to leave until their demand was met.

The blockade began around 5:00pm, shortly after Hasnat Abdullah, chief organiser (south) of the National Citizen Party, urged people to block Shahbagh and not leave until the government issued a notification stating that the AL had been banned.

Hundreds of protesters were still at Shahbagh as of filing this report early today, keeping the intersection closed to traffic and chanting slogans. 

Addressing the crowd late last night, Hasnat said there would be a rally at Shahbagh at 3:00pm today.

"At the same time, mass gatherings will also be held at every place across the country where people demonstrated during the July uprising," he said. 

The AL and its associated bodies must be declared terrorist outfits and banned, he said. 

He said the protesters had two other demands -- an amendment to the International Crimes Tribunal Act to hold the trial of Awami League as a party and the announcement of the July Proclamation.

"It is a battle between the pro-Bangladesh forces and those of fascism. It is a fight against those who exploited and oppressed us for over 15 years."

NCP Member Secretary Akhter Hossen said, "We will no longer tolerate any further delays. We are ready to stay here in Shahbagh for days. We will not return home until our demands are met."

Another group of protesters kept the capital's Rampura bridge blocked for around two hours from 10:00pm, leading to long tailbacks, said Ataur Rahman Akand, officer-in-charge of Rampura Police Station. The road was still blocked after midnight.

Protesters kept the Dhaka-Aricha Highway blocked in Savar for over two hours last night.

The Chief Adviser's Press Wing in a statement last night called for patience, saying the government had taken serious note of the popular demand.

Earlier in the day, Hasnat told a rally on Hare Road that the interim government was turning a deaf ear to the people's demands.

"They neither hear the cries of the martyrs nor the screams of the injured," he said.

Around 8:00pm, NCP Convener Nahid Islam wrote on Facebook that the students and masses would again march to Dhaka like they did to topple the AL regime, unless the government banned the AL.

Hundreds gathered in the capital’s Shahbagh yesterday afternoon and blocked the busy intersection, demanding a ban on the Awami League. The protesters vowed not to leave the area until the government fulfils their demand. Photo: Prabir Das, Anisur Rahman

"All the forces behind last year's anti-fascist uprising would stay united on the question of the country's sovereignty and banning the Awami League," he wrote.

Earlier, Sarjis Alam, chief organiser (north) of NCP, said all the political forces, except the BNP, had joined the blockade.

"The unity of July [uprising] will be reestablished if the BNP joins," he wrote on Facebook.

At the rally on Hare Road, Hasnat said he respected the politicians who fought against fascism and urged them not to "try to reopen the chapter of Awami League which was closed on August 5".

Supporters of Hefazat-e-Islam, AB Party, Khelafat Majlish, Chhatra Shibir, Jatiya Ganotantrik Party, UP Bangladesh, July Mancha, Inqilab Mancha, Islami Andolon Bangladesh, and several other organisations took part in the demonstration.

Hefazat in a statement said the AL should be banned for killing its activists at Motijheel in 2013 and the July killings.

Hefazat urged its activists and the general public to remain on the streets.

They were demonstrating at Shahbagh intersection when the photo was taken around midnight.

PRESS WING STATEMENT

The statement from the CA Press Wing said the government would consult the political parties and make a decision soon.

"All are requested to exercise patience," it read.

"The government is giving due consideration to the UN report that has highlighted the terrorist activities of AL leaders and supporters during the July uprising."

Instead of cooperating with ongoing investigations, the AL blatantly tries to jeopardise the country's stability, it said.

The government also plans to immediately amend the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act to incorporate provisions for the trial of associations and political parties involved in crimes against humanity.

"The government is aware of public dissatisfaction regarding the departure of former President Abdul Hamid, who served during the previous regime and is accused in a case filed over the attack on protesters during the July-August mass uprising. The government assures all that it is determined to hold accountable those connected with this incident."

AFTERNOON RALLY ON HARE ROAD

Addressing the gathering, Mojibur Rahman Manju, president of the AB Party, urged the government to convene an all-party meeting within 48 hours to make a decision.

Bangladesh Labour Party Chairman Mustafizur Rahman and Hefazat Joint Secretary Maulana Azizul Haque Islamabadi also spoke.

As the rally began, Dhaka South City Corporation sprayed water on the street apparently to cool down the tarmac.

The demonstration began late at night on Thursday after Hasnat urged his followers on Facebook to gather in front of the Chief Adviser's residence.

Hundreds of activists showed up soon afterwards and demonstrated there through the night.