Dhaka, May 10 -- A "mass" gathering is under way at Dhaka's Shahbagh demanding the ban of the Awami League along with two other demands.

The demonstration began around 3pm on Saturday at the key Shahbagh intersection, drawing participation from the National Citizen Party (NCP), Islami Chhatra Shibir, United People's Bangladesh (UP), and several groups involved in the July Uprising.

Hasnat Abdullah, the chief organiser of the NCP's southern unit, announced the protest at a press conference on Friday night during an ongoing blockade in Shahbagh.

Although the initial turnout was low, the crowd grew larger after 4pm.

Among those present were NCP leader Hasnat, the party's northern region organiser Sarjis Alam, and UP Bangladesh's convenor...