President given 24-hr ultimatum to resign

Hundreds of protesters, who were gathered in front of Bangabhaban, has issued an ultimatum on Tuesday afternoon, calling for the president to step down within 24 hours, according to a Bangla news portal.

Around 4:30 PM, the protesters announced their demand from outside Bangabhaban, stating, "President Shahabuddin is an ally of Awami League and Sheikh Hasina. We do not want him to remain in office. He must resign within 24 hours or we will take matters into our own hands."

The protest escalated when a group of around 200-250 protesters attempted to breach the security barricades around 8:20 PM, seeking entry into Bangabhaban. Law enforcement officers intervened, using sound grenades and baton charges to disperse the crowd which further fueled tensions. Five individuals, including journalists and several protesters, were injured during the clashes.

As of the latest reports, protesters remain stationed at the barricades with chanting slogans. The situation around Bangabhaban remains tense with army and police forces reinforcing security.

Earlier, around 2 PM hundreds of protestors from multiple organizations, carrying banners, gathered in front of Bangabhaban's main gate with demonstrators loudly calling for the president to step down. Protesters blocked the adjacent streets around 5:30 PM, chanting slogans against the president. Various groups, including 'Inkilab Manch', 'Raktim July-24', '36 July Parishad', 'Ziaur Rahman Samaj Kalyan Parishad', and 'Fascism Resistance Student-Public Platform', staged separate demonstrations under their respective banners.

One of the protesters, Saifuddin Muhammad Emdad from the Raktim July-24 platform, told, "President Shahabuddin has claimed he hasn't received Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's resignation letter, despite her stepping down over two months ago. His failure to secure the document shows he is no longer fit to hold office. The only solution is his resignation."

Another protester, Bahar Uddin, added, "We will not leave the streets until Chuppu resigns. He is a liar and an ally of the authoritarian Sheikh Hasina."

In response, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has intensified security measures around Bangabhaban. Police, military APCs, and water cannons have been deployed, with plainclothes officers from intelligence agencies monitoring the situation.

DMP Joint Commissioner Md. Faruq Hossain confirmed that security around Bangabhaban has been reinforced to prevent any untoward incidents.

The protest follows an interview with 'Manabzamin' editor Matiur Rahman, President Shahabuddin revealed that while he heard about Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's resignation, he had not received any formal documentation confirming it.

He admitted, "Despite my best efforts, I was unable to obtain the resignation letter. Perhaps she didn�t have the time."