None was allowed to pay tributes at the portrait of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on August 15, commemorating the 49th anniversary of his assassination as protesters occupied Dhanmondi 32 from morning to block Awami League march.
Besides, journalists and scores of the mourners, including leaders and activists of Awami League, its different affiliated organisations and people from different walks of life were hurt in attacks on them in front of Dhanmondi-32 house.
The mourners were barred and came under attacks by unidentified people, most of them youths, who gathered there under the banner of Anti-Discrimination Movement.
Witnesses said grassroots leaders and activists of the Awami League who gathered at Bangabandhu Bhaban on Dhanmondi Road No 32 were beaten up, the victims and witnesses said.
The programme of paying tributes was scheduled to begin with floral tributes at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s portrait on Dhanmondi Road No. 32 on Thursday morning, according to Awami League sources.
Sheikh Hasina’s son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy on Sunday last urged Awami League leaders and activists to honour Bangabandhu at Dhanmondi 32 on the anniversary of his death.
On the other hand, some students and the general public have occupied the area since midnight to prevent Awami League’s "march to Dhanmondi 32" programme.
No central Awami League leaders, however, have been seen at Dhanmondi 32 since Thursday morning.
Bangabandhu's martyrdom anniversary this year comes 10 days after the fall of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina's fall amid student-led mass upsurge on August 5.
The interim government of Professor Muhammad Yunus has cancelled the national holiday that was being observed during Awami League regime.
Many people were seen standing with sticks in the area around the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Memorial Museum on Dhanmondi Road No. 32 which was vandalised and set on fire on the day of Hasina's ouster.
On Thursday anyone coming to this area was being stopped and interrogated while protesters also were checking identity cards and mobile phones of visitors.
Some people have been seen chasing visitors in the area. It was also seen that someone got tangled while fleeing and beaten up.
Protesters also tried to ensure that no one can take photos or videos of their activities during their presence, said witnesses.
Several AL supporters were handed over to on duty army personnel when they were trying to enter inside defying student-mass people interception.
Journos harassed at Dhanmondi 32
Besides, on-duty journalists were reportedly harassed on Thursday at Dhaka’s Dhanmondi 32 by some students and others.
A section of students and some people were using hand-mikes, asking journalists not to take any photo or video. They also asked residents living around the Bangabandhu Museum not to take photos or videos.
A journalist from a Bangla newspaper, who was at Dhanmondi 32 from 8 am to 4 pm, told UNB that the behavior of this section was “very rude.”
“They did not physically attack us, but verbally, they used objectionable words towards the journalists,” the journalist said seeking anonymity.
He also mentioned that this section was quite aggressive in the morning, especially till 11 am.
They were also seen forcing journalists to delete photos and videos.
Meanwhile, no one was allowed to pay tribute at the portrait of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on August 15, commemorating the 49th anniversary of his assassination, as protesters occupied Dhanmondi 32 from morning to block Awami League activists’ march.
Grassroots leaders and activists of the Awami League who gathered at Bangabandhu Bhaban on Dhanmondi 32 were beaten up, victims and witnesses said.
They were scheduled to pay tribute at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s portrait at Dhanmondi 32 on Thursday morning, according to Awami League sources.
Attack on Rokeya Prachi
A sit-in and candlelight vigil were held in front of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's house at Dhanmondi 32 in the capital, demanding justice for all killings related to the anti-discrimination student movement.
The event, led by national award-winning actress Rokeya Prachi, took place on Wednesday.
However, following the event, Rokeya Prachi was attacked by opponents. She was physically assaulted during the incident.
