NCP withdraw Shahbag blockade after hour long protest over Gopalganj attacks
During the blockade, long tailbacks were reported on roads connecting Shahbagh to the Science Lab and Press Club, causing significant inconvenience to commuters
Leaders and activists of the National Citizen Party (NCP) withdrew their blockade at Shahbagh intersection today (16 July), following nearly an hour-long protest against alleged attacks by Awami League supporters on their party's rally venue and the convoy of party leaders in Gopalganj.
Around 6pm, the protesters left the intersection, allowing vehicular movement to resume.
Before leaving, organisers announced over loudspeakers that they were heading to the party's central office in Banglamotor.
The blockade began around 5pm when NCP supporters gathered at Shahbagh and began chanting slogans condemning the attacks. Protesters demanded accountability and the safe return of their party leaders from Gopalganj.
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During the hour-long blockade, long tailbacks were reported on roads connecting Shahbagh to the Science Lab and Press Club, causing significant inconvenience to commuters.
Activists from NCP's Dhaka Metropolitan unit, as well as central and Dhaka University leaders of the Democratic Students' Council, took part in the demonstration. Among them was Abu Bakr Mojumdar, the council's central convener.
Chanting slogans like "Why the attack in Gopalganj? We demand answers!", "Why is my brother bleeding? Interim government must answer!", and "Break the dark hands of the Awami League!", the protesters blocked traffic at the busy intersection for nearly an hour.
During the blockade, NCP's Joint Member Secretary Akram Hossain CF told The Business Standard, "Our blockade will continue across the country until all our leaders return safely from Gopalganj."
Later in the evening, NCP Convener Nahid Islam called on supporters to lift all blockades on highways and streets of Dhaka and other cities across the country.
In a post from the party's official Facebook page at 5:46pm, he urged protesters to remain on one side of the road to reduce public inconvenience. "The fight will go on," he said.
