AL brings out flash processions in Khulna, Shariatpur after govt warning
The events stirred fresh political debate, particularly coming just a day after the home affairs adviser ordered law enforcers to stop such processions by the AL and its affiliated wings from happening
Awami League (AL) leaders and activists organised a flash procession in Khulna city this morning (20 April) and a torch procession in Shariatpur last night (19 April), marking their first public demonstrations in these districts since the party fell from power on 5 August in a mass uprising.
The events stirred fresh political debate, particularly coming just a day after the home affairs adviser ordered law enforcers to stop such processions by the AL and its affiliated wings from happening.
Home Affairs Adviser Lt Col (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury yesterday (19 April) also warned that if law enforcers fail to control this properly, disciplinary action will be taken against them.
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In Khulna, the flash procession, organised under the banner of "Bangladesh Awami League, Khulna District Unit", took place at the city's Zero Point area around 7:30am.
The procession saw participation from over a hundred party leaders and activists from various levels of the district unit.
Requesting anonymity, one of the organisers leading the procession told The Business Standard, "On 5 April, our party chief, Sheikh Hasina, spoke with Awami League leaders and activists from Khulna via Telegram. She urged everyone to stay strong and instructed us to organise processions. We brought out this procession following her directive."
Images and videos of the procession have since gone viral on social media platforms.
Visuals from the scene show demonstrators holding a banner featuring portraits of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Sheikh Hasina, chanting slogans such as, "Sheikh Hasina, we are not afraid, we have not left the streets," "Sheikh Hasina's government, needed again and again," and "Sheikh Hasina will return like a hero."
Horintana Police Station Officer-in-Charge Khairul Bashar told TBS, "The Awami League men jumped out of a vehicle, held the flash procession, and fled the scene very quickly."
"Since it happened early in the morning, the streets were relatively empty. Police are actively working to identify and detain those involved," he added.
Torch procession in Shariatpur
Meanwhile, the torch procession organised by local AL leaders and activists in Shariatpur's Jayanagar area at around 9pm last night (19 April).
A 45-second video shows over a hundred individuals marching with torches, many wearing face masks, chanting slogans praising Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The footage has been widely shared by AL activists and was also shared on the party's verified Facebook page last night.
Demonstrators were heard chanting the same slogans mentioned above.
"Various programmes are being held across the country. In particular, demonstrations are being organised to bring back Sheikh Hasina to the country," said a local AL leader, reports Prothom Alo.
"As part of that, leaders, activists and supporters from different levels in Shariatpur held this torch procession. From now on, the party will carry out different programmes regularly," he added.
Talking to TBS, Inspector (Investigation) Masudur Rahman of Palong Model Police Station said the torch procession by AL men did happen. "We are investigating. Legal action will be taken after identifying those who participated."
