Activists of the Awami League (AL) – whose activities were banned by the interim government – and its affiliates made sudden, brief appearances in Kurigram, Habiganj, and Narayanganj on Wednesday, attempting to “reopen” party offices that have been closed or demolished since the 5 August uprising.
These flash demonstrations, often lasting only seconds and filmed for social media, were met with swift counter-actions from student activists.
Kurigram
A day after the formation of the BNP government, several leaders and activists of the Chhatra League gathered at the ruins of the Kurigram district AL office in the Shapla Chattar area.
Eyewitnesses reported that approximately 7-8 youths hoisted the national flag and party banners on a tin-fenced wall while chanting slogans such as “Joy Bangla” and “Joy Bangabandhu”.
Those identified in video footage included Joint General Secretary of Kurigram Government College Chhatra League Mehedi Hasan and Joint Convener of Municipal Chhatra League An-Nafe-Naif Lubdhok, among others.
The protest was short-lived, as leaders of the Anti-discrimination Student Movement, led by Abdul Aziz Nahid and Alamgir, arrived around noon to remove the flags and dismantle the tin fence. Nahid criticised the police for their “silent role” despite being informed of the activity.
In a symbolic gesture of defiance, the student leaders announced that a public toilet would be constructed on the site of the former office, declaring that “there will be no Awami League office in Bangladesh”.
Superintendent of Police Fazle Rabbi stated the incident occurred “suddenly” and vowed that legal action would be taken against those attempting to reopen the office of the banned party.
Habiganj
In Habiganj, a video circulated on social media showing a small group of youths, some with their faces covered, chanting slogans in front of the burnt-out district AL office on Town Hall Road.
The speakers in the video claimed they were reopening the office under the instructions of Sheikh Hasina and the district unit president, Abu Zahir.
Abu Zahir, a former MP who has been in hiding since the uprising, later bolstered these claims by posting videos and photos on Facebook, asserting that the office premises – which he described as being destroyed by “armed militant terrorists” – were now open for grassroots activists.
However, local residents reported knowing nothing of the event, and Habiganj Superintendent of Police Yasmin Khatun noted that the authorities are conducting an “expert examination” to determine if the video is current or old footage.
Narayanganj
A similar “flash” procession occurred in Narayanganj, where five to six Jubo League activists hung a banner at the district and metropolitan AL office, which has been shuttered for 17 months.
The activists chanted slogans for roughly 20 seconds before quickly dispersing into the crowd on the busy street.
This marked the first public political activity on behalf of the party in Narayanganj since the arrest of former city mayor Selina Hayat Ivy late last year.
