Dhaka [Bangladesh], May 11 (HBTV): The Bangladesh interim government on Saturday announced a decision to ban the Awami League, the country’s oldest political party.

According to an official press release, the decision was taken to safeguard national security and sovereignty. ‘The Advisory Council meeting discussed the need to protect the country's security and sovereignty, the security of the leaders and activists of the July Movement, and the protection of the plaintiffs and witnesses of the International Crimes Tribunal until the trial of the Bangladesh Awami League and its leaders is completed. A decision has been taken to ban all activities of the Awami League, including in cyberspace, under the Anti-Terrorism Act,’ the statement read.

Several political parties and groups, including the National Citizens Party (NCP), Jamaat-e-Islami and others, are currently staging protests by surrounding the residence of Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser to the interim government, demanding a ban on the Awami League.

Awami League President and former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted from power in a mass uprising on August 5 last year. She is currently in exile. Following her removal, an interim government was formed under the leadership of Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus.

Most Awami League leaders and workers are reportedly in hiding. However, the party’s veteran leader and former President of Bangladesh, Abdul Hamid, is said to have flown to Bangkok early Thursday morning along with his wife and brother-in-law.

The protest demanding a ban on the Awami League began at 10 pm on Thursday in front of Jamuna, the residence of Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, and is still continuing.

NCP's convener Nahid Islam stated, ‘The first responsibility of the interim government was to ban the Awami League. We have made that demand both inside and outside the government. But today, nine months later, we have had to take to the streets again to ban the Awami League.’

(ANI)