Supporters of BNP leader Ishraque Hossain were obstructed by police during a long march towards the Secretariat, demanding he be sworn in as the mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC).Due to police barricades, they were unable to proceed further.The march began around 12pm on Saturday, in front of the DSCC Nagar Bhaban. As it advanced through Golap Shah Mazar, Zero Point, Paltan, and passed the National Press Club towards the Secretariat, police intervened and blocked the procession. In response, the marchers returned to Nagar Bhaban.Protesters chanted slogans such as “No more delays in swearing-in,” “We demand Ishraque Hossain be sworn in immediately,” and “Ishraque is the people’s mayor, there is no other.”They claimed that despite a court ruling and the Election Commission publishing the official gazette, Ishraque Hossain has not been allowed to take his oath.

They accused the authorities of betraying public trust by denying Ishraque, who was elected by popular vote, the responsibility of office. The protesters vowed to continue their movement until the oath is administered.

City corporation employees also joined the demonstration, locking all gates of Nagar Bhaban and effectively shutting down DSCC’s main office. As a result, no officials or service-seekers could enter the building.

The long march was announced a day earlier by Ishraque’s supporters, who began the day by staging protests and a sit-in in front of Nagar Bhaban for the third consecutive day. Later, they initiated the long march from the same location.