Advisory Council meeting ends, briefing awaited

An emergency meeting of the Advisory Council, held in response to the ongoing blockades across Dhaka including Shahbagh demanding a ban on the Awami League, has ended.

Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus presided over the meeting, which was held from 8:30pm to 9:40pm on Saturday, his office confirms.

A press briefing is expected shortly outside his official residence at the State Guest House Jamuna.

Earlier, Energy Advisor Fouzul Kabir Khan told bdnews24.com: “The meeting will focus on determining the next course of action in light of recent developments.”

The urgency followed a series of protests triggered by news of former president Md Abdul Hamid’s departure from Bangladesh

On Thursday night, a group of protesters led by Hasnat Abdullah, the chief organiser of the National Citizen Party (NCP), staged a sit-in outside Yunus’s residence.

The protest drew solidarity from Jamaat-e-Islami, AB Party, Islami Chhatra Shibir, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Hifazat-e Islam, and student groups involved in the Anti-discrimination Student Movement.

After Friday prayers, they set up a stage at the Minto Road entry point and held a rally, carrying placards and banners demanding a ban on the Awami League.

From there, Hasnat announced the blockade at Shahbagh, which has since brought traffic in the area to a halt.

While announcing the new programme at the Shahbagh intersection on Friday night, he said: “Our sit-in for the three-point demand will continue [Saturday].

“At 3pm, we will hold a mass gathering at Shahbagh.”

A “mass” gathering continued there through the evening.

The CAO issued a statement on Friday, asserting that the demand for banning the Awami League was being "considered seriously" by the government.

It also noted that discussions with political parties would soon lead to a decision. In additions, steps are being taken to amend the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act to take action against organisations involved in crimes against humanity.