The alliance’s six-point demands comprise: implementing the referendum verdict, trial of the July genocide, resolving the electricity, oil, gas, and fertilizer crises, halting extortion and corruption to curb rising commodity prices, improving the law and order situation
Special Correspondent : Leader of the Opposition and Jamaat-e-Islami amir Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Saturday said that they would remain on the streets until the people’s demands are fulfilled, accusing the government of deceiving people and breaking its promises.
“We have taken to the streets to realise the people’s demands. We will return home only after those demands are fulfilled,” he said while addressing a rally at Paduar Bazar Biswaroad in Cumilla as part of Dhaka-Chattogram long march led by the Jamaat-led 11-party alliance.He said people shed blood on the streets in the struggle against authoritarianism but their demands have not yet been fulfilled.
The Jamaat chief said the alliance has taken to the streets to press for implementation of the public mandate in the referendum and the spirit of the July mass uprising. “We have come to the streets to restore gas supplies to your homes and ensure electricity.”He also questioned whether people are receiving uninterrupted electricity and gas and whether extortion is taking place. He said the country is overwhelmed by drugs and called for effective measures to control the problem.
Jamaat Naib-e-amir and Deputy Leader of the Opposition Dr Abdullah Muhammad Taher also addressed the rally, calling for implementation of the alliance’s six-point demand and the referendum mandate.National Citizen Party Convener and Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam said that uninterrupted supplies of oil, gas and electricity must be ensured. He warned that the government would not be able to remain in office if it fails to meet the people’s basic demands.
Liberal Democratic Party Chairman Colonel (retd) Oli Ahmad said that the mandate given by 70 per cent of people must be implemented, warning that the government would have to be made to fail if the mandate was not automatically implemented.
Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis amir Mamunul Haque said that people must remain prepared to face tougher challenges ahead to change their fortunes and take the country in the right direction.
He said that the long march marked the beginning of the second phase of the ongoing movement.The Dhaka-Chattogram long march began in the capital on Saturday morning with the alliance’s six-point demands.
After holding roadside rallies at different locations, including Shimrail in Narayanganj, the procession reached Cumilla and held the rally at Paduar Bazar Bishwaroad before heading towards Chattogram. Leaders of the 11-party alliance and local Jamaat leaders also attended the programme.
Jamaat’s 6-Point Long March Begins!
The Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party alliance has officially launched a long march from Dhaka to Chattogram to advance a six-point charter of demands. The highway convoy commenced following a brief rally, drawing thousands of participants and prompting heightened security across major transit corridors.
The program kicked off with a rally at Shapla Chattor in Motijheel, capital city, at 7:00 AM on Saturday. A massive convoy of vehicles set off for Chattogram shortly after 8:15 AM.
Roadside rallies are scheduled during the long march at the Kanchpur Bridge truck stand in Narayanganj, Padua Bazar Bishwa Road in Cumilla, Mohipal in Feni, and Mirsarai in Chattogram.The final phase of the program will conclude with a public meeting at the Laldighi Ground in Chattogram.
Action Against Any Vehicle Emitting Black Smoke on Capital StreetsThe opening speech at the Motijheel rally was delivered by AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad, Assistant Secretary General of Jamaat-e-Islami and coordinator of the 11-party unity coalition.
Other leaders who addressed the gathering included Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Secretary General Mamunul Haque, AB Party Member Secretary Mujibur Rahman Monju, and National Citizen Party Convener and Chief Whip of the Opposition in the National Parliament Nahid Islam, among others.
The alliance’s six-point demands comprise: implementing the referendum verdict, trial of the July genocide, resolving the electricity, oil, gas, and fertilizer crises, halting extortion and corruption to curb rising commodity prices, improving the law and order situation, and ending narrow-minded partisanship.
The long march was previously announced on August 6 during a sit-in program at Muktangon in Dhaka. According to the announced schedule, subsequent long marches are scheduled toward Rangpur on September 19, Khulna on October 10, and Sylhet on October 24, culminating in a grand rally in Dhaka on November 14.
