Supporters of Ishraque Hossain have once again blockaded Dhaka South City Corporation headquarters, demanding his official swearing-in as mayor.
They have locked the main gate and service centers, halting all civic services, including trade license renewals and birth-death registrations. City employees are on strike, and service seekers are being turned away.
Defying rain, BNP activists from across the capital gathered at the premises, chanting slogans in favor of Ishraque.
They vow to continue protests until he takes office. Protesters claim the delay in swearing him in defies a court ruling and accuse the government of injustice.
On March 27, a tribunal declared Ishraque the rightful mayor, and the Election Commission published the official gazette on April 27.
However, the Local Government Ministry has not implemented it. On May 29, the Appellate Division rejected the appeal against Ishraque’s swearing-in.
Protests led by local BNP leaders have persisted since May 14, including sit-ins near the Jamuna area last week.
Ishraque has urged the government to arrange his oath ceremony in compliance with the court’s decision, calling it their "final appeal."
