Dhaka: After overthrowing the Sheikh Hasina government in Bangladesh on August 5, students have now intensified their demand for the resignation of President Mohammad Shahabuddin. They surrounded Bangabhavan and gave Shahabuddin an ultimatum of seven days to step down.

In an interview last week, Shahabuddin had said that he had no documentary evidence of Hasina resigning from the post of Prime Minister before leaving the country in August. After this statement, students got angry. Bangladesh's interim government said on Wednesday that it has not yet taken any decision on removing the President from office.

scuffle between protesters and police

Meanwhile, the interim government banned Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), the student wing of Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League party, under the Anti-Terrorism Act. The notification said that this student wing has been involved in many immoral activities during the last 15 years during the Awami League government. TV footage related to the protest showed protesters under various banners scuffling with the police.

Security has been beefed up around the President's residence

Hospital sources were quoted as saying that two people were injured when security forces opened fire to prevent protesters from breaking the barricades of the President's House. A third person was injured by a grenade used to disperse the violent mob. Security has been tightened around the President's residence in view of the protest.

Barbed wire fencing along with barricades has been put up at the main gate. Armoured vehicles, water cannons and riot control vehicles have also been kept ready in case the protests escalate. The protesting students have demanded that the constitution written in 1972 be scrapped and a new constitution be made with reference to 2024. The students have also demanded a ban on Bangladesh Chhatra League, the student wing of the Awami League.

Students will take to the streets again

They have said that the elections held in 2014, 2018 and 2024 under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina should be declared illegal and the members of parliament who won these elections should be disqualified. Hasnat Abdullah, one of the coordinators of the student movement, said that if the government fails to meet the demands by this week, we will take to the streets again with full force.