| MM Rahmatullah: The 11-party political alliance on Saturday began a peaceful long march from Dhaka towards Chattogram, demanding implementation of the referendum verdict, justice for the July massacre, an end to the ongoing power, fuel, gas and fertiliser crises, control of soaring prices of essential commodities, and improvements in law and order.
The alliance also demanded an end to extortion and corruption and what it described as excessive partisanisation of state institutions.
The long march was inaugurated at a rally at Shapla Chattar in the capital at around 7:00am. The procession later left Dhaka for Chattogram at around 8:30am, with leaders expressing confidence that large numbers of people would join the programme along the route.
Addressing the inaugural rally, 11-party alliance chief, Leader of the Opposition and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman MP said the long march was being organised on behalf of the country`s 180 million people.
“Our demands are clear,” he said, pointing to shortages of gas, electricity and water faced by people across the country.
He said citizens were continuing to pay their utility bills despite shortages and vowed that the alliance`s movement would continue until the rights of the people were established.
“We have embarked on a struggle to establish people`s rights. We will return home only after establishing those rights, Insha`Allah,” Dr Shafiqur said.
Chief Whip of the Opposition Nahid Islam MP described the programme as a movement of the general people. He warned that if the government attempted to obstruct the long march, the participants would overcome all obstacles and reach Chattogram.
He further said the alliance`s six demands could eventually turn into a “single demand” if the government tried to prevent the march.
Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Ameer Maulana Mamunul Haque accused the government of betraying the nation.
“If those in power try to mislead the nation after occupying the seat of power, our hands will not tremble even an inch in removing them,” he said.
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General and former MP Mia Golam Parwar alleged that the government had failed to ease people`s suffering and that public hardship was increasing day by day.
He accused the government of betraying the people by failing to implement what he described as the verdict of the referendum and by breaking its promises to citizens.
The government, he said, should admit its mistakes in parliament and take initiatives to reform the Constitution.
The alliance`s demands centre on six broad issues: implementation of the people`s verdict in the referendum; trial of those responsible for the July massacre; resolution of shortages of electricity, fuel, gas and fertiliser; curbing the rising prices of essential goods; stopping extortion and corruption; improving law and order; and ending narrow partisanisation.
The programme began with recitation from the Holy Quran. Dr AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad, Assistant Secretary General of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and coordinator of the 11-party alliance, delivered the opening remarks.
Liberal Democratic Party President and former minister Col (retd) Oli Ahmed Bir Bikram, along with other senior leaders of the 11-party alliance, also addressed the rally.
The long march is scheduled to hold roadside rallies at several predetermined points on its way to Chattogram.
The first rally is scheduled near the truck stand close to Kachpur Bridge in Narayanganj, followed by programmes at Paduar Bazar Bishwaroad in Cumilla, Mohipal in Feni, and Mirsharai.
The programme will culminate in a public rally at Laldighi Maidan in Chattogram.
Alliance leaders and organisers expect a large turnout of people along the route, particularly at the designated gathering points.
The long march comes amid the alliance`s wider campaign to press the government to address what it describes as mounting economic, political and public-service challenges and to implement its six-point demands.
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