Shahbagh blockade continues as protesters demand ban on Awami League

The blockade at Shahbagh intersection continued for the second consecutive day today with demonstrators holding their ground and reiterating their demand for a ban on the Awami League.

While regular traffic remained suspended, emergency vehicles such as ambulances were allowed to pass through the protest site, our DU correspondent reports from the spot.

Different political parties, student organisations and protesters injured in the July uprising were among those present at the site.

The organisers have said that the blockade will continue until the interim government issues an official notification banning the Awami League.

A mass rally has been announced at Shahbagh at 3:00pm today, while similar gatherings are scheduled in locations associated with the July uprising across the country.

Hasnat Abdullah, chief organiser of the National Citizens' Party (NCP) for the southern region, in a verified Facebook post around 4:00am today, urged supporters to refrain from enforcing blockades on highways elsewhere in the country.

"Apart from Shahbagh, do not blockade highways in Dhaka or across the country. Organise spontaneous gatherings and rallies in districts, but withdraw any existing blockades," his post read.

Demonstrators stayed at Shahbagh overnight, chanting slogans and holding signs.

Earlier yesterday, activists from the NCP and several other political organisations had gathered in front of the chief adviser's residence in Jamuna and erected a stage at the Minto Road intersection before moving to Shahbagh, where they began the blockade.

According to the organisers, this marks the beginning of what they described as a "second phase" of the July uprising.

The demand for banning the Awami League gained renewed momentum following the departure of former president Abdul Hamid from the country late Wednesday night.