Leaders and activists of Bangladesh Awami Juba League, which is banned from holding activities, brought out a procession and held a brief rally in Gazipur on Friday, marking the anniversary of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s release from prison.

The procession and rally, led by Juba League central executive committee member Ashraful Islam Sajib, were held at around 8:00am in Aspada Mor area of Sreepur municipality.

Video footage of the programme later spread on the social media shared from Sajib’s verified Facebook page.

The video showed several participants wearing helmets during the procession and chanted slogans, including ‘Joy Bangla’.

Witnesses said that a number of leaders and activists of banned Bangladesh Chhatra League and Bangladesh Awami League, which is banned from running activities, also took part in the procession and rally.

Mohammad Shafiqul Islam, assistant superintendent of police of the Sreepur-Kaliakair Circle, said that police personnel were sent immediately after receiving information about the procession.

‘We sent police to the spot as soon as we learned about the rally but officers did not find anyone at the scene upon arrival,’ he said, adding that further legal action was under process.

On June 11, 2008, the then army-backed interim administration released AL president Sheikh Hasina from the special sub-jail set up on the premises of Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban after imprisoning her for nearly 11 months.