Flag-Raising Ceremony at Awami League Union Office in Narail

In Narail’s Lohagora Upazila, Awami League leaders and activists hoisted the national flag in front of a union office of the party whose operations had previously been suspended. The event took place on Saturday morning at the Manikganj Bazaar office of the Noagram Union Awami League.

Local sources reported that the flag-raising ceremony was led by Kazi Abdul Alim, vice-president of the Narail District Volunteer League. Alongside the flag, the participants chanted slogans including “Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu” and “Sheikh Hasina Bhoy Nai, Rajpath Chhadi Nai” (“We are not afraid of Sheikh Hasina; we will not leave the streets”). After a brief ceremony, the group departed peacefully.

This incident follows a similar event on the night of 17 February, when a national flag was raised at the Lohagora Upazila Awami League office in Jaipur Jamrultala. At the same time, portraits of Father of the Nation Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and former prime minister Sheikh Hasina were displayed on the office wall. A video of the event quickly circulated on social media, prompting the removal of the portraits and flag shortly afterwards.

Kazi Abdul Alim later shared images and video of Saturday’s flag-raising on his Facebook account, writing:

“After a long 18 months, we have inaugurated the regional office of the Bangladesh Awami League’s Noagram Union, Manikganj Bazaar, in Lohagora Upazila, Narail District, by hoisting the national flag to mark the great occasion of Ekushey February.”

Local police confirmed they are monitoring the situation. Lohagora police station’s Officer-in-Charge, Md. Abdur Rahman, stated:

“We have received reports of the incident. Officers have been sent to the site, and we are investigating the matter further.”

The episode highlights ongoing local political tensions, particularly surrounding the operations of certain Awami League union offices which have been restricted for over a year. Community reactions have been mixed, with some residents expressing support for the symbolic gesture while others call for restraint to prevent unrest.

Summary of Flag-Hoisting Events

The flag-raising ceremonies serve as a symbolic tribute to national pride and the party’s historical leaders, coinciding with the commemoration of Ekushey February, the day of national remembrance for the martyrs of the Bengali Language Movement.