The 11-party opposition alliance launches today a long march from Dhaka to Chattogram to press for its six-point demands that include an end to the gas, electricity, fuel, and fertiliser crises.
The demands also include the implementation of the referendum verdict, trial of the July killings, controlling rising prices of essentials, an end to extortion and corruption, the improvement of law and order, and an end to narrow partisan outlook.
The long march is to begin with an opening rally at Shapla Chattar in Dhaka city at 7:00am.
The rally over, the long march is scheduled to start for Chattogram. The march will culminate in a public rally at Laldighi Maidan in Chattogram city, with roadside rallies planned at several points along the route.
According to the plan, the march will pass through Kachpur truck stand in Narayanganj, Paduar Bazar, Bishwa Road in Cumilla, Mohipal in Feni, and Mirsharai in Chattogram, where local alliance units will organise the roadside rallies.
Jamaat-e-Islami secretary general and long march implementation committee convener Mia Golam Parwar on Friday disclosed the information about the long march and rallies.
He was speaking to reporters after the alliance’s final preparatory meeting at the Jamaat’s central office at Moghbazar in the capital.
‘We are not waging a movement to topple the government. Our demand, and the people’s demand, is that you accept the referendum verdict,’ he said.
The alliance expects some 1,500 vehicles to form the procession, he said.
Golam Parwar urged the government to provide administrative cooperation to ensure the success of the peaceful long march programme.
He warned that any obstruction or attempt by anyone from the government or the ruling party to create an adverse situation would cause the government to lose public confidence and face public anger.
Golam Parwar further said the alliance expected political parties to demonstrate tolerance and move away from the culture of political violence.
The alliance has informed the inspector general of police in writing about the programme, he said, adding that thousands of people were expected to gather along the route.
Alliance leaders urged people and activists to join the programme peacefully and with discipline.
