Dhaka:
The capital of Bangladesh, Dhaka, experienced heightened tensions on Sunday as reports emerged of several supporters of the Awami League being assaulted following the party’s decision to organize a protest march at Shaheed Noor Hossain Square in honor of Noor Hossain Day.
Local media indicated that the incident occurred in front of the central office of Sheikh Hasina’s party on Bangabandhu Avenue.
Noor Hossain, a political activist and leader of the Awami League’s youth wing, the Jubo League, was killed on November 10, 1987, during the anti-Ershad movement. The Awami League’s announcement to conduct a rally on Sunday afternoon to commemorate this event marks its first major action since the government led by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was overthrown during an uprising on August 5.
In a post on social media, the party extended an invitation to the general public and activists who uphold the “values of the Liberation War and democratic principles” to participate in the march at Noor Hossain Chattar (Zero Point). Additionally, it called for the removal of anti-democratic elements and the restoration of democratic governance under the leadership of the Bangladesh Awami League.
Following the announcement, the interim government of Bangladesh, under the leadership of Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus, promptly declared that it would not authorize the protest rally.
“The Awami League, in its present state, operates as a fascist party. There is no possibility that this fascist party will be permitted to conduct protests in Bangladesh,” stated Shafiqul Alam, Press Secretary to Yunus.
In response, the anti-discrimination student movement is organizing a counter-gathering at the same location, calling for the prosecution of Awami League leaders.
In anticipation of potential unrest, the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has announced the deployment of 191 platoons of border security forces throughout the capital and across the nation to ensure law and order on Noor Hossain Day.
