Staff Correspondent

No one was allowed to pay tributes at the portrait of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on 15 August, commemorating the 49th anniversary of his assassination as protesters occupied Dhanmondi 32 from morning to block Awami League march.

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 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.

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.