Chhatra League activists reopen Noakhali district Awami League office, police detain 5
A video of the incident showing the lock being broken and slogans being chanted inside the Awami League office, went viral on social media.
Around 30-35 leaders and activists of the banned Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), the student wing of the activities-banned Awami League (AL), reportedly broke the lock and reopened the district AL office in the Noakhali town while chanting slogans.
Police said the incident took place at the office located in the Town Hall intersection around 7am this morning (18 February), reports Prothom Alo.
Confirming the matter, Sudharam Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Touhidul Islam told Prothom Alo that five people have been detained in connection with the incident, and a drive is underway to bring the others involved to book.
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Meanwhile, a video of the incident showing the lock being broken and slogans being chanted by BCL men inside the Awami League office went viral on social media.
In the footage, BCL leaders and activists are seen holding a banner that reads "Noakhali District Awami League Office" and chanting slogans such as "Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu".
Earlier, on 3 August 2024, the district Awami League office was attacked and vandalised by agitated students and locals following allegations that AL supporters fired shots at anti-discrimination protesters. The office was also set on fire at the time.
Since the fall of the Awami League government on 5 August 2024, the main gate of the office had remained locked.
Today, witnesses said, the long-locked party office was broken into, and banners were put up in the front. Activists then gathered, chanted slogans, and protested for about half an hour.
The protesters claimed grassroots AL leaders and activists in Noakhali organised the move.
One Hasan Masud Joy on Facebook wrote, "The Noakhali district Awami League office was opened by union-level grassroots Awami League leaders led by Kadir Hanif. But sadly, they are not given positions in the Awami League or other affiliated organisations."
However, a few local AL leaders, speaking to journalists on condition of anonymity, said no party decision had been taken to occupy the office. "This was the initiative of some local, emotional leaders and activists," they said.
