On Thursday, Ishraq Hossain’s backers returned to Dhaka South City Hall for a fifth consecutive day, pressing for his swearing-in and the resignation of the local government advisor.
From the early hours, protesters assembled with banners in hand, chanting loudly. They blamed city officials for intentionally stalling Ishraq’s oath and creating needless hardship for the public.
“This delay is intentional,” one protester said. “They wasted time on purpose. Now they’re saying there’s no time left.”
All administrative functions at City Hall have been suspended since the protests began, disrupting services for residents in Dhaka South. Activists blamed the government for the deadlock.
“They’re responsible for this mess,” another protester added. “People are facing trouble, and the government has to answer for it.”
The situation has prompted a response from local government advisor Asif, who spoke to reporters Thursday afternoon.
“We’ve tried to act responsibly,” he said. “But we can’t remain silent as services stall. The matter has reached a critical point.”
According to him, top-level discussions are ongoing, with steps being taken to settle the matter.
Civic disruption and dengue concerns
As the protest drags on, city services remain largely unavailable.
This includes health and sanitation efforts, which are particularly urgent due to the rising number of dengue cases.
Advisor Asif said the government is taking the outbreak seriously.
“There’s concern at the top level,” he said. “Our ministry has held several meetings. The city corporations are taking action, even if it’s not all visible yet.”
He promised a full briefing soon on the steps being taken, while emphasizing the importance of public awareness.
“Controlling dengue requires people to be informed and careful,” he added.
Development issues raised
Addressing broader issues, Asif also spoke about uneven development across city zones.
He said some areas were neglected due to “past political reasons,” but efforts are now underway to expand services everywhere.
“Our goal is to continue civic services as much as possible, despite current challenges,” he said.
Officials have not announced a clear timeline for resolving the Ishraq oath issue or resuming full operations at City Hall. Discussions are ongoing.
