Banner Vanishes From Kapasia Awami League Office

In Kapasia, Gazipur, a banner marking the “grand inauguration” of the local Awami League office mysteriously disappeared just hours after it was displayed, raising questions among local residents and party members alike.

The banner was first observed on Sunday morning at the party office in the Upazila town, prominently displayed outside the building. However, by 9:30 a.m., it was nowhere to be seen. The abrupt disappearance sparked curiosity and speculation among locals.

Banner Details

The banner featured slogans on either side: one read “Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu”, while the other displayed images of Bangladesh’s founding father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, former President Tajuddin Ahmad, and Awami League leader Sajeeb Wazed Joy. The central text proclaimed the “grand reopening of the Kapasia Upazila Awami League office after 18 months”. Below the main message, the name and image of Amir Hamza, the general secretary of the Upazila Chhatra League, were prominently featured.

A shopkeeper located near the office told reporters that a local van driver had noticed the banner early in the morning, but by 9:30 a.m., it was gone. The sudden disappearance prompted concerns about potential political motivations or mismanagement.

Police Response

Shahinur Alam, Officer-in-Charge of Kapasia Police Station, confirmed to Prothom Alo that the banner had likely been installed overnight. “When we visited the office in the morning, the banner was no longer there,” he stated. Police have reportedly begun preliminary inquiries into the incident to determine how and why the banner was removed.

Community Reactions

Locals and party affiliates expressed surprise at the disappearance, noting that the banner had been a symbolic marker of the party’s return to the office after an 18-month hiatus. Some residents speculated that the removal might have been due to political rivalry or an oversight, while others suggested it could be an act of vandalism.

Summary of Banner Incident

The episode, though minor in scale, has drawn attention for its unusual timing and sudden disappearance, leaving local residents and party members awaiting clarification. Authorities have assured that a thorough investigation will be conducted and that steps will be taken to ensure the banner—or a replacement—can be displayed appropriately in the future.