Banner of ‘Institute for Research on Fascism and Genocide’ appears at Awami League central office
Today (25 July), workers were seen clearing piles of construction debris and waste from the third floor, while the second floor had already been cleaned.
A banner reading "International Institute for Research on Fascism and Genocide" has been hung at the central office of the Awami League in Gulistan, Dhaka, as a group of individuals began a cleanup operation at the long-abandoned building.
The long-abandoned 10-storey building saw the start of a cleanup operation on Wednesday (23 July), nearly a year after it was deserted.
Today (25 July), workers were seen clearing piles of construction debris and waste from the third floor, while the second floor had already been cleaned.
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A group of 10 to 12 individuals were seen involved in the cleaning process and they claimed that the entire building will be cleaned in the coming days. Several people were also seen sitting on plastic chairs in front of the building.
When asked about the banners, individuals present at the site said the building would be handed over to those involved in the anti-discrimination student movement once the cleaning is complete, reports Prothom Alo.
According to them, offices for individuals injured during the July uprising, as well as for the families of those killed, will be established in the building.
Decisions regarding the use of each floor will be made by students and the general public, they added. However, none of the individuals present were willing to disclose their names or identities.
The origin and affiliation of the so-called "International Institute for Research on Fascism and Genocide" remain unclear, as those present refused to comment on who founded the organisation or how it was named.
The 10-storey building was inaugurated on 23 June 2018 by then prime minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina. Built at a cost of Tk10 crore, the structure was intended to serve as the party's modern central office.
Following the fall of the Awami League government during the uprising on 5 August last year, the building was set on fire and has remained largely abandoned since.
For months, the charred ground floor of the building had reportedly been used as a public toilet.
