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.