United News of Bangladesh

Opposition Leader Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Saturday said their 'long march' programmes are not aimed at fulfilling the wishes of any person, party or group, but realizing the demands of the country’s 180 million people. “On the way from Dhaka (to Rangpur), thousands of mothers, sisters and children stood by the roadside to greet and congratulate us. When mothers and sisters (women) take to the streets, our demands will be met—Insha'Allah,” he said. Dr Shafiqur, also the Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, made the remark while addressing a street rally at Chowmatha intersection in Palashbari, Gaibandha in the evening as part of the Dhaka-Rangpur Long March of the 11-party alliance. The 11-party opposition alliance, led by Jamaat-e-Islami, was staging its second long march in a fortnight, this time from Dhaka to Rangpur, with an eight-point demand on Saturday. The long march towards Rangpur was launched from Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka in the morning.  Five street rallies were held at Bhogra bypass in Gazipur, Nagar Jalpai in Tangail, Hatikumrul in Sirajganj, Charmatha in Bogra, and Palashbari in Gaibandha before the concluding gathering at Rangpur Zilla School.   Earlier on September 5, the alliance held its first long march from Dhaka to Chattogram with a six-point demand, including the implementation of the verdict reflected in the February 12 referendum; trial of the July 2024 mass killings; resolution of the electricity, fuel, gas and fertilizer crisis; controlling soaring prices of essential commodities, making an end to corruption, extortion and occupation; and improvement of law and order. Ahead of the Dhaka-Rangpur long march, the opposition alliance extended the six-point demand to an eight-point demand by incorporating two other demands – making an end to narrow partisanisation and implementation of Teesta mega plan. The opposition leader at Gaibandha rally said they would not have organised the long march if the July Charter had been implemented, the people’s verdict in the referendum had been honoured, corruption and extortion had been stopped and farmers had received fertilizer. Dr Shafiqur said people could no longer tolerate oppression. “Not a single one of our demands is for the party; all are for the people,” he said. “If the government does not accept the demands, our eight-point demand will turn into nine, 10 or even one-point demand,” he said, urging people to prepare to join the long march to Dhaka. Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) President Col (retd) Oli Ahmed, Bir Bikram, urged the government to form the constitution reform council to reform the Constitution, even if belatedly, to free the people, said a press release here.

Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Annie on Saturday accused the opposition of taking an uncooperative stance from the outset, saying this has allowed certain groups to attempt a comeback in December. Speaking as the chief guest at a free medical camp, eye clinic and medicine distribution program at Zillur Rahim College in the Mandari area under Chandraganj upazila of Lakshmipur, Annie alleged that the opposition has continuously hindered government operations. The event was jointly organized by the Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB) Lakshmipur district unit and Lions International District 315 A-3. "On the day we took our oath, the opposition was absent. From the very first day, they have been non-cooperating with the government at every step," Annie said. "If the opposition had not provided this opportunity through programs like long marches, those who oppressed the nation for 17 years would not have found room to maneuver." "We assumed responsibility over a pile of debris. Is it possible to restore all gas and electricity supplies within just six months?" he questioned. District BNP Joint Convener Hasibur Rahman, Noakhali Civil Surgeon Dr. Anwar Hossain, Chandraganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Nilufa Yasmin Nipa and Chandraganj Upazila BNP President Belal Hossain, among others, were present at the event.

BNP Acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Saturday said the country's education system had been “treated like a plaything” for the past 17 years, mostly under the ousted Awami League regime. He said merely constructing large buildings or developing infrastructure does not make an educational institution; dedicated teachers are needed to ensure the quality of education. He also called for close attention to ensure that no student drops out of education for any reason. Rizvi made the remarks as the chief guest at a reception and scholarship distribution programme at Keraniganj Mohila Degree College. The programme was organised to award crests and scholarships of Tk 5,000 each to 114 students from Keraniganj upazila who achieved outstanding results in the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examination. Highlighting the importance of education, Rizvi said such programmes for meritorious students were highly commendable. “But it is a matter of great regret that the importance of education for a nation was not properly considered in the past. For the past 17 years, the education system was treated like a plaything,” he said. He further alleged that a tendency to make students pass examinations through unethical means had turned the nation’s “human backbone” into a “plastic backbone” during that period. As a result, Bangladeshi students have fallen considerably behind in international competition, he said. Referring to the current government’s education policy, the prime minister’s adviser said students were now being genuinely evaluated on the basis of merit, without favouritism or irregularities. He said the government was committed to promoting women’s education and that the education system for female students up to the BA (Honours) level would soon be made completely free.

Nahid Islam, opposition Chief Whip and convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP), said on Saturday said BNP, since coming to power, has been curbing people's rights and undermining democracy. Those who have destroyed democracy in the past have ultimately ended up in "the dustbin of history," Nahid said while addressing the inaugural rally of the 11-party alliance's Dhaka-to-Rangpur long march at the capital's Manik Mia Avenue. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman must now decide the manner in which he steps down from power, under pressure or through a dignified process. "Tarique Rahman has to decide now whether he will flee by helicopter or hand over power through a dignified process," he said. Nahid said the government passed an enforced disappearance law and a human rights law in the last parliamentary session, and that RAB had been renamed SRB. While protecting human rights is the government's responsibility, he alleged the current government is instead creating condition conducive to rights violations across the board. He further alleged that the incumbent government has begun using the same laws and institutions that Sheikh Hasina's administration had used to suppress people's rights. Noting that a wave of public support has built up behind the long march, Nahid Islam alleged that banners and festoons of the 11-party alliance have been torn down along the march route since Friday night, claiming BNP leaders and activists carried this out with the involvement of the city corporation. Tearing down banners and festoons will not stop the tide of public support for the long march, he said, adding that the opposition's list of demands keeps growing but will ultimately converge into a single demand, called on 11-party alliance leaders and activists to prepare accordingly.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman on Saturday said their eight-point demand could be turned into a single demand at any time depending on the needs of the people. “We have taken to the streets today with an a set of eight demands. Depending on the needs of people, these eight demands can turn into a single demand at any time. If you remain by our side, Inshallah, we will achieve our demands and return home.” The Jamaar Ameer said these while speaking at a roadside rally of the party-led 11 party alliance  at Bhogra Bypass intersection in Gazipur as part of its long march from Dhaka to Rangpur. Leaders of the alliance, including, Colonel Oli Ahmed Bir Bikram and Mamunul Haque, addressed the rally. The rally, which began in the morning, was presided over by Professor Md Jamal Uddin of the Dhaka metropolitan unit Jamaat-e-Islami. Central, district and metropolitan-level leaders of the alliance also spoke at the programme. A large number of leaders and activists welcomed the long marchers on both sides of the road as the procession travelled from Tongi to Bhogra. After the rally, the leaders and activists resumed their journey towards Rangpur in a convoy of vehicles. The 11-party opposition alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami is holding its second 'long march' from Dhaka to Rangpur on Saturday, seeking public support for their 8-point demand, including the implementation of the “people's verdict” in the February 12 referendum and resolution of the energy and fertilizer crisis. The 11-party alliance launched the long march towards Rangpur from Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka around 8 am. Five roadside rallies will be held at Bhogra bypass in Gazipur, Nagar Jalpai in Tangail, Hatikumrul in Sirajganj, Charmatha in Bogra, and Palashbari in Gaibandha before the concluding gathering at Rangpur Zilla School. The other demands are trial of the July 2024 mass killings, taking measures to control soaring prices of essential commodities, an end to corruption, extortion and violence, improvement of the law and order situation and an end to narrow partisanisation. On September 5 last, the opposition alliance staged its first long march from Dhaka to Chattogram on a six-point demand. But the alliance expanded it to an 8-point demand ahead of the Dhaka-Rangpur Long March.  

BNP’s nomination board on Friday interviewed the party’s nomination candidates for the Thakurgaon-1 by-election, with the final decision to be announced later. The National Standing Committee meeting of the BNP effectively served as the party’s nomination board meeting. The meeting began around 7pm at the BNP chairman’s office in Gulshan. Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman and members of the Standing Committee took part in the interview process.

National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam on Friday accused BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman of emerging as a ‘new authoritarian,’ saying democracy and human rights are not safe under his leadership. “Democracy is not safe in Tarique Rahman’s hands, nor are human rights. Tarique Rahman has emerged as a new authoritarian,” Nahid said while addressing an NCP human chain in front of the Jatiya Sangsad. The NCP arranged the human chain protesting what it described as the BNP government’s passage of laws violating human rights, suppression of dissent and deprivation of citizens’ fundamental rights. He alleged that the BNP government was suppressing dissent and passing laws that undermine citizens’ fundamental rights, despite its earlier struggle for democracy and human rights during the ousted Awami regime. Nahid demanded amendments to laws concerning enforced disappearances and the National Human Rights Commission, as well as proposed changes to Cyber Security Act, saying such measures must not curtail freedom of expression. He questioned the government’s handling of disappearance allegations, particularly the case of Miraj Sheikh, who, he said, had remained missing for five months. He also criticised the use of the Anti-Terrorism Act against NCP-linked activists Gazi Salahuddin Tanvir and Sifat, arguing that offensive speech should not be treated as terrorism. “But it is not terrorism. People’s mouths are being silenced and their right to speak is being stopped in the name of the Anti-Terrorism Act,” he said. He alleged that law-enforcement agencies should not investigate disappearance complaints involving other law-enforcement agencies and expressed concern that provisions penalising false complaints could discourage victims’ families from seeking justice. Nahid also alleged that the Anti-Corruption Commission was being used against opposition figures. “You are using the ACC against us, against our leaders; by all means, continue doing so,” he said. “You have not formed a police reform commission; instead, the police force is being prepared to suppress the opposition,” he added. He called for independent mechanisms to investigate human-rights violations and protect democratic and constitutional rights.

A meeting of ruling party BNP’s highest policymaking body, the National Standing Committee, is underway at the chairman’s office in Gulshan. The meeting began at 7pm (Friday). Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman is chairing the meeting. BNP Media Cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan confirmed the matter. Those attending the meeting include BNP Acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed; Standing Committee members and lawmakers Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Prime Minister’s Political Adviser Nazrul Islam Khan, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Begum Selima Rahman and Amanullah Aman; Prime Minister’s Adviser on Public Administration Ismail Zabiullah; and BNP Chairman’s Adviser Dr Farhad Halim Doner.

The 11-party opposition alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami is set to hold its second 'long march' from Dhaka to Rangpur on Saturday, seeking public support on their seven-point demand, including the implementation of the people's verdict in the February 12 referendum and resolution of the energy and fertilizer crisis. The 11-party alliance will launch a long march towards Rangpur from Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka at 7:00 AM. The inaugural rally will continue until 8:00 AM. Later, five roadside rallies will be held at Bhogra bypass in Gazipur, Nagar Jalpai in Tangail, Hatikumrul in Sirajganj, Charmatha in Bogra, and Palashbari in Gaibandha before the concluding gathering at Rangpur Zilla School. The other demands are trial of the July 2024 mass killings, taking measures to control soaring prices of essential commodities, an end to corruption, extortion and violence, improvement of the law and order situation and an end to narrow partisanisation. Jamaat Secretary General and Long March Implementation Committee Convener Mia Golam Parwar on Friday called upon the government not to create any obstruction or hindrance to their “disciplined and peaceful” Dhaka-Rangpur Long March scheduled for Saturday. “Our appeal to the government is that no obstruction or hindrance should be created in any way to the disciplined and peaceful Long March,” he said while briefing reporters at the central office of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami in the capital on Friday. The Jamaat leader asked their leaders and activists participating in the Long March not to fall prey to any provocation. “We will make our democratic programme successful by showing the utmost patience and restraint. Even if we are harmed or physically attacked, we believe that it would be a great achievement in making the Long March successful than in seeking revenge,” Golam Parwar said. He sought cooperation from the government, the ruling BNP, police and civil administration, intelligence agencies, traffic authorities, roadside small traders and pedestrians, and drivers and passengers of vehicles. Golam Parwar said extensive preparations had been taken by all district and metropolitan Jamaat units along the route of the Dhaka-Rangpur Long March. About its first long march from Dhaka to Chattogram held on September 5, he said they earlier staged a Long March towards Chattogram with six demands aimed at strengthening democracy and meeting the aspirations of the people. “Now another demand has been added, making it seven,” he said. Citing that top leaders of the 11-party alliance held a meeting at the residence of the opposition leader on Thursday, he said they decided to add the demand for implementation of the Teesta Master Plan to the Long March towards northern Bangladesh, considering it a longstanding demand of millions of people in the region. “We demand that the government immediately remove whatever hesitation or fear it has regarding implementation of the Teesta Master Plan and take all necessary measures through diplomatic channels,” said Golam Parwar. He said millions of people were now preparing to welcome the Dhaka-Rangpur Long March along the route. “We have received information that more than 1,000 vehicles will join the Long March convoy. Instructions have been given for the vehicles and responsibilities have been assigned,” he said. On September 5 last, the opposition alliance staged its first long march from Dhaka to Chattogram on a six-point demand. But the alliance expanded it to a seven-point demand ahead of the Dhaka-Rangpur Long March as the demand to halt corruption, land grabbing and extortion was added to the original six points.

Ruling party BNP’s highest policymaking body, the National Standing Committee, is scheduled to meet Friday evening to review the overall political situation and decide the party’s next course of action. BNP Media Cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan, when contacted, said he had heard that the party’s Standing Committee meeting is scheduled for Friday evening. The meeting is expected to be held at the BNP chairman’s political office in Gulshan, with Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman in the chair. Party sources said Tarique Rahman’s upcoming visit to the United States to attend the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, scheduled to begin on Sept 21, and various preparations surrounding the visit may come up for detailed discussion at the meeting. The meeting is also expected to discuss the party’s next political course of action after reviewing the overall situation in the country.