United News of Bangladesh

The National Citizen Party (NCP) has called for a greater rally demanding a political ban on the fallen Awami League in the capital after the Jummah prayer. Hasnat Abdullah, chief organiser of the party’s southern zone, made the call on Friday morning, urging people from all walks of life to attend the event to be held in front of the fountain located east of the residence of the chief adviser and in front of Hotel Intercontinental. Hasnat said preparations for the stage in the SAARC Fountain area have already begun, hoping that it will draw a huge crowd. "There will be a sea of people," he said, adding that people will see who truly wants to ban the AL." The party’s northern zone chief organizer Sarjis Alam, who had been in his hometown Panchagarh on Thursday night when the students led by the NCP took position in front of the state guesthouse Jamuna on the demand, joined the protests on Friday morning. Students led by NCP leaders rally in front of Jamuna, demand ban on Awami League Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami, Inquilab Mancha, Islamic Movement, AB Party, and other political parties have also expressed their solidarity. A group of students, led by the NCP gathered in front of the Chief Adviser's residence on Wednesday night demanding a political ban on the AL. The demonstration began around 10pm under the leadership of Hasnat Abdullah.

A protest march under the banner of ‘Bangladesh Against Rape and Oppression’ faced police obstruction near Hotel Intercontinental as demonstrators attempted to proceed towards Chief Adviser’s official residence Jamuna to submit a memorandum demanding justice for the victims of sexual violence. The demonstrators, who had gathered at the Raju Bhashkarjiya (Raju Memorial Sculpture) on the Dhaka University campus, began their march towards Jamuna in the early afternoon. Their demands included the resignation of the Home Affairs Adviser over the government’s failure to curb the ongoing incidents of murder, rape and sexual violence. They also called for the establishment of a fast-track tribunal to ensure justice for all victims, including eight-year-old Achia. Around 2:30 pm, as the march crossed Shahbagh and reached the Hotel Intercontinental intersection, police erected barricades to stop them from advancing further. Shahbagh erupts in protests as students demand justice for rape victims The protesters attempted to push past the barricades, leading to scuffles with the police. The altercations took place in multiple phases as law enforcers sought to prevent the demonstrators from moving forward. The protesters alleged that the police had resorted to aggressive tactics reminiscent of previous Awami League administrations to suppress their rightful demands. They claimed that instead of allowing them to submit a memorandum against rape, the authorities had confronted them with force. Crime surges in Bagerhat; 23 killed, 21 raped in seven months Later, the demonstrators moved back to the Raju Bhashkarjiya.