In a striking act of political symbolism, the wife of a local leader has reportedly raised the national flag atop the abandoned headquarters of the Awami League in Keraniganj. The incident, which took place on Friday, comes at a time of heightened sensitivity surrounding the former governing party’s physical infrastructure across the country.
A Calculated Gesture of Defiance
At approximately 12:30 pm, Sonia Akter, the wife of Altaf Hossain Biplob—who serves as the General Secretary of the Keraniganj Model Thana Awami League—arrived at the party’s main facility in the Ghatarchor area of Taranagar Union.
According to eyewitnesses, Sonia Akter arrived at the scene wearing a burka to maintain a degree of anonymity. She swiftly navigated the derelict structure, ascending to the roof where she hoisted the national flag. Having completed the act, she reportedly departed the premises immediately, before any significant crowd or authorities could gather.
Context of the Abandonment
The headquarters has stood as a hollowed-out shell for over eighteen months. During the peak of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement on 4 August 2024, the building became a flashpoint for civil unrest. Protesters reportedly stormed the facility, resulting in widespread vandalism and a significant arson attack that rendered the interior unusable. Since that day, the building has remained padlocked and deserted, mirroring the status of many such offices nationwide.
| Key Details | Incident Specification |
| Location | Ghatarchor, Taranagar Union, Keraniganj |
| Date & Time | Friday, 20 February 2026, at 12:30 pm |
| Primary Actor | Sonia Akter (Wife of Altaf Hossain Biplob) |
| Building Status | Derelict since the arson attack of 4 August 2024 |
| Current Action | Hoisting of the National Flag of Bangladesh |
Lingering Tensions and Silence
Attempts to reach Altaf Hossain Biplob for comment following the incident were unsuccessful, as his mobile phone remained switched off. This silence is characteristic of the current climate for many local leaders of the embattled party, who have largely remained out of the public eye.
The act of raising the national flag on a building associated with a restricted political movement is seen by local observers as an attempt to reassert a presence in the community without violating specific bans on partisan gatherings. However, in the current volatile political landscape, such gestures often invite scrutiny from both the interim administration and rival political factions.
The local police have been notified of the event, though no formal charges have been filed at the time of reporting. The building continues to stand as a silent monument to the dramatic political shifts that occurred in the summer of 2024.