July Oikya faces obstruction before reaching embassy, protesters sit down

The united front July Oikya, carrying the spirit of the 2024 mass uprising, faced obstruction in the Badda Link Road area shortly after starting the 'March to Indian High Commission' programme to demand the return of Sheikh Hasina and all killers to the country and protest against ongoing conspiracies by Indian proxy political parties and government officials. Later, overcoming the obstruction, July Oikya is holding a rally in front of Hosen Market in north Badda.

The programme saw participation from organisers of July Oikya along with a section of patriotic pro-Bangladesh former military officers, several leaders of DUCSU and Jatiya Chhatra Samaj, students from universities, colleges, madrasas and schools, as well as people from various professions.

Today Wednesday (17 December) at 3 pm, the programme started from Rampura Bridge in the capital. Later, around 4:15 pm, July Oikya is holding the rally in front of Hosen Market.

It is learnt that activists became agitated as the 'March to Indian High Commission' procession called by July Oikya advanced towards the Indian embassy and faced police obstruction. Later, they called on the general public to sit down in front of Hosen Market in north Badda and started the rally.

Meanwhile, centering the programme, police have created a tight security ring from Rampura to the Indian embassy. Although police closed the Badda-Gulshan Link Road with barricades, it was crossed, and strict security measures have been strengthened in New Bazar and surrounding areas.

Earlier on Tuesday (16 December), the organisation announced the programme in a press release signed by July Oikya organiser A B Zubayer. The organisation said the programme would start from Rampura Bridge in the capital at 3 pm on Wednesday (17 December). A section of patriotic pro-Bangladesh former military officers, several leaders of DUCSU and Jatiya Chhatra Samaj, students from universities, colleges, madrasas and schools, along with people from various professions, will participate. The overall leadership of the programme will be with the organisers of July Oikya.

From July Oikya's side, it was said that since the 2024 mass uprising, Indian proxy forces have newly engaged in anti-Bangladesh conspiracies. The organisation also alleged that India has sheltered killers involved in the mass killings during July's uprising.

Their claim is that a section of Indians celebrated the shooting incident targeting Sharif Osman Hadi, a prominent face of the July movement fighting against hegemony. Describing these incidents as a threat to Bangladesh's sovereignty, they said no hegemony will be accepted in Bangladesh 2.0.

July Oikya said an ultimatum will also be given to the Indian government and the interim government from the 'March to Indian High Commission' programme. If the killers are not returned within a specific time, the responsibility for subsequent situations will have to be borne by Delhi and relevant departments of the government, they warned.

July Oikya further said India and its proxy forces do not want democracy and elections in Bangladesh, which is why they are creating chaos one after another. In this context, the 2024 student-people have been called to unite again in the movement to protect the country.