AL’s Victory Day procession takes over city

The ruling Awami League yesterday held their “victory procession” in the capital with thousands of leaders and activists of the AL and its associate bodies, amid much fanfare and enthusiasm.

The ruling Awami League yesterday brought out a colourful procession in the capital to celebrate the Victory Day.

The programme was scheduled to start at 2:30pm at the Institute of Engineers Bangladesh (IEB) premises, but the party activists and supporters began to throng the venue in small processions since 1:00pm.

Within hours, the streets in front of IEB, Matsya Bhaban, and the one leading to Shahbagh intersection were brimming with AL, Chhatra League, Jubo League and Swechhashebak League activists.

At that time, vehicular movements on those roads came to a halt, with commuters having to wait long hours stuck in their vehicles.

As the procession advanced through the Mirpur Road towards Dhanmondi-32’s Bangabandhu Bhaban, traffic congestion extended to adjacent roads.

Activists joined the procession on motorbikes, pick-up vans, horse-drawn carriages and even on foot. They were carrying colourful banners, placards, and national flags.

Many were dressed in red and green, while patriotic songs were being played on loudspeakers.

The Dhaka city AL organised the capital’s procession while different units of the party held many across the country.

The procession started from Suhrawardy Udyan around 3:45pm. Then it marched through Shahbagh, Elephant Road and Mirpur Road before ending at the Bangabandhu Bhaban on Dhanmondi Road-32 at 5:30pm.

Before the procession, a brief rally was held at the IEB premises, where senior AL leaders, including its General Secretary Obaidul Quader, presidium members Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Shahjahan Khan and Agriculture Minister Abdur Razzaq, spoke.

Quader said if there is any tension with the US embassy in Dhaka, they would resolve it in a diplomatic manner.

“The US is our friend; the BNP is instigating [tensions]. I am assuring everyone, including the US, that there is no lack of security for the diplomats in Bangladesh. Everyone is safe here.”