Dhaka South administrator resumes duties after 43 days as Ishraque supporters unlock office

After 43 consecutive days of demonstrations that kept the Dhaka South City Corporation's (DSCC) Nagar Bhaban under lockdown, the protesters yesterday unlocked the administrator's office, allowing Administrator Md Shahjahan Mia to re-enter his workplace for the first time since mid-May.

Shahjahan entered the office at around 1:25pm, marking the end of a prolonged deadlock triggered by a dispute over the swearing-in of BNP leader Ishraque Hossain as mayor. 

Protesters under the banner of "Amra Dhakabashi", who had been demanding Ishraque's oath, decided to lift the siege on the administrator's office earlier in the day.

"We've decided to withdraw from the movement, considering the suffering of city residents," BNP media cell member Shayrul Kabir Khan told The Business Standard. 

We do not want to look back anymore. We have a lot of work ahead, and we will get it done. Our services will continue without pause, and offices will remain open on both Fridays and Saturdays

Shahjahan Mia, Administrator, Dhaka South

"However, we remain firm on our demand for Ishraque Hossain's rightful oath, which the party will now fight for legally and politically," he said.

He added that BNP plans to challenge the decision of LGRD Adviser Asif Mahmud, which they say blocked the oath-taking, through political pressure.

According to senior BNP leaders, who spoke on condition of anonymity, the movement saw internal divisions and even physical clashes, prompting the party's central leadership to order an end to the lockdown. 

"Two factions emerged during the protest, and clashes damaged the party's image. That's why the high command asked Ishraque to step back," one BNP leader told TBS.

Ishraque supporters unlock Dhaka South administrator’s office after 42 days

Attempts to reach Ishraque Hossain for comment were unsuccessful. His phone remained switched off, and messages via WhatsApp went unanswered.

Protest leaders greet Shahjahan

Meanwhile, the Dhaka South employees who had declared Administrator Shahjahan "unwelcome" at Nagar Bhaban were the ones to greet him upon his return. 

Leaders of the pro-BNP Employees' Union, including President Arif Chowdhury and General Secretary Belayet Hossain Babu, welcomed the administrator back into the building. 

Both had been vocal organisers of the protest under the "Amra Dhakabashi" banner.

"We received instructions from Mayor Ishraque Hossain to cooperate with the administrator," Arif said. "We have spoken with him, and he encouraged us to support the administration in all departments, including engineering and field work."

Shahjahan Mia speaking to reporters and his colleagues in his office on 26 June 2025. Photo: Photo: Md Jahidul Islam/TBS

Arif also noted that while the sit-in has been formally called off, some protest presence will remain at Nagar Bhaban "to ensure no one spreads panic".

Belayet Babu added, "We will now follow the administrator's guidance to make city operations more efficient."

DSCC to remain open even on Fridays and Saturdays

Addressing reporters at Nagar Bhaban, Administrator Shahjahan Mia said, "We do not want to look back anymore. We have a lot of work ahead, and we will get it done. Our services will continue without pause, and offices will remain open on both Fridays and Saturdays."

He identified three immediate priorities: mosquito control, cleanliness, and finalising the budget for the next fiscal year. 

"Our work never fully stopped during this crisis, but now we will move forward with renewed dedication," he said. "I've asked all officers to return to duty. We must expedite our field operations and enhance our civic services."

The administrator's personal office had remained locked for 42 days. The main gate of Nagar Bhaban was reopened earlier on 23 June, after 39 days of closure.

The protest began on 14 May after the Ministry of Local Government postponed Ishraque Hossain's oath as mayor, despite a court ruling and gazette notification declaring him the legitimate winner of the 2020 Dhaka South mayoral election.

The Appellate Division later ruled that the decision to administer the oath rests with the Election Commission, effectively keeping the matter in limbo.