Hundreds of Awami League supporters march through Gulshan chanting ‘Joy Bangla’

Hundreds of Awami League supporters took part in a march in Dhaka’s Gulshan area on Friday, chanting the slogan ‘Joy Bangla’.

The march was planned to begin in front of Bhola Mosque in Gulshan-1 at around 11.45am on Friday, 11 September. Police intervened to stop the procession and later fired rubber bullets to disperse the participants.

Police said two crude bombs, locally known as cocktails, were detonated during the incident. Gulshan Police Station also said two people were detained and five cocktails were recovered from the scene. These claims could not be independently verified.

Videos circulating on social media showed several hundred people marching through the area while chanting ‘Joy Bangla’. Many of those taking part were seen raising slogans as the procession moved along.

The situation later escalated into a chase between police and the marchers, with both sides pursuing each other through the area.

Gulshan Police Station officer-in-charge Daud Hossain said police moved to disperse the marchers after they attempted to start the procession from the area.

He claimed two cocktails were detonated during the police operation. Police subsequently fired two rounds of rubber bullets to bring the situation under control.

Police said two people were detained at the scene and five cocktails were recovered. No immediate statement was available from the marchers regarding the reported detentions.

The march comes amid restrictions and legal complications surrounding the Awami League’s public political activities following the fall of the party’s government.

The appearance of several hundred Awami League supporters in an open procession in one of Dhaka’s prominent areas, chanting ‘Joy Bangla’, has been viewed by those familiar with local politics as a significant development after a prolonged period without such public activity by the party in the capital.

The Awami League was Bangladesh’s ruling party before its government was ousted.