Leaders and activists of National Citizen Party and various student organisations staged a sit-in in front of Jamuna, the official residence of Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, last night demanding a ban on Awami League.

Leaders and activists of NCP, Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangsad, July Oikya, and Inqilab Mancha joined the sit-in which began at 10:00pm.

Hasnat Abdullah, chief coordinator (South) of NCP, who led the group of protesters, said, "We will not leave this place until the Awami League is banned."

He said, "July is our pledge [sic]. Our mandate lies with the people. Our mandate belongs to the 2,000 martyrs and 30,000 injured."

Photo: Collected

In reference to the chief adviser's stance, he said, "You have no mandate to decide whether the Awami League will participate in the elections or not."

"We want to make it clear—July's strength is on full display today across Dhaka [sic]. Dr Muhammad Yunus, we respect you. Until the genocidal Awami League is declared seditionist, fascist, and criminal, and subsequently banned, no one will leave this place," Hasnat said.

This is the first time that NCP has publicly staged a demonstration against the CA, who was picked by the students themselves following the July-August revolution.

Police cordoned off key roads leading to Jamuna, including Kakrail intersection, the InterContinental Dhaka crossing, and Mintu Road, allowing only pedestrian processions through the barricades while blocking all vehicles.

Around 1:00am today, NCP convener Nahid Islam and member secretary Akhtar Hossain led a procession to Jamuna.

At the demonstration, protesters chanted slogans demanding the ban of Awami League and justice for the victims.

Earlier, Hasnat had announced the sit-in programme through a Facebook post, stating that they would remain in front of Jamuna until a clear roadmap is declared for the banning of Awami League.

Nahid Islam, who was formerly the information adviser of the interim government, earlier posted on Facebook in support of Hasnat saying the future of the AL would be determined by that night.

Photo: Anisur Rahman/Star

"We are seeing that there is a lot of dilly-dallying regarding the trial of Awami League. No decision has been made regarding the banning of AL and the cancellation of its registration as a political party. Those accused are getting bail. The president of an illegal fascist government has been allowed to escape in front of our eyes. A space has been opened, for us to mistrust the government about holding the AL accountable," said Nahid.

He continued, "One of our commitments of July was trial of the murderers. Another is that Mujibbadis [those holding the ideals of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman] will never be able to politics on this soil again. The fate of Awami League has to be decided tonight."

"We will not get off the streets until a clear plan is laid out for the trial of AL, a ban of all activities and the cancellation of its registration," he said.

He called on all political forces, the families of martyrs, and those injured to take to the streets and continue protests until justice is served.

Sarjis Alam, chief coordinator (North) of NCP, too had made calls earlier to join Hasnat in the protest in front of Jamuna on a Facebook post.

Later he posted, "...Was in Panchagarh. Now heading toward Jamuna [sic]. Revolutionaries, come forth from across Bangladesh. July is here, and it will continue [sic]."