Movement to continue until 18cr people's rights secured, says Shafiqur, as Jamaat-led alliance begins march towards Ctg

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman today (5 September) said the opposition bloc's movement will continue until the rights of the country's 18 crore people are ensured.

"Our long march is on behalf of 18 crore people," he said before the Jamaat-led 11-party alliance began a march from Dhaka to Chattogram, pressing home six-point demands, including implementation of the public mandate from the referendum, justice for the July killings, an end to shortages of electricity, fuel, gas and fertiliser, and measures to curb rising prices of essential commodities.

"Our demands are clear. People are suffering from gas, electricity, and water shortages but are still required to pay their bills," Shafiqur said at the inaugural rally at Shapla Chattar in the capital.

He said the movement will continue until the rights of the country's 18 crore people are secured.

"We have embarked on a struggle to establish the rights of the people. We will return home only after establishing the rights of the people, Insha'Allah," he said.

The alliance is also demanding an end to extortion and corruption, improvements in law and order, and an end to "narrow partisanisation."

NCP Convener Nahid Islam said the long march belongs to the people at large.

"If the government obstructs the long march, we will overcome all obstacles and reach Chattogram. The six-point demands of the 11 parties will then turn into a single-point demand," he said.

Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Ameer Mamunul Haque said the BNP government has deceived the nation.

"If, while sitting in the seat of power, it tries to lead the nation down the wrong path, our hands will not tremble even for an inch in pulling it down," he said.

Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar said the government has failed to alleviate the people's suffering.

"Their hardships are increasing day by day. By failing to implement the referendum's verdict, the government has deceived the people. It has broken all the promises made to the people. The government must admit its mistakes in parliament and take initiatives to reform the constitution," he said.

The rally began with the recitation of the Holy Quran.

Dr AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad, assistant secretary general of Jamaat and coordinator of the 11-party alliance, delivered the opening remarks.

Liberal Democratic Party Chairman Colonel (retd) Oli Ahmad and other senior leaders of the 11-party alliance also spoke at the rally.

The long march departed from Dhaka for Chattogram at around 8:30am.

Rallies will be held at predetermined points along the route.

The first will take place near the truck stand by Kachpur Bridge in Narayanganj.

Further rallies will be held at Paduar Bazar Bishwaroad in Cumilla, Mohipal in Feni, and Mirsharai.

The final public rally will be held at Laldighi Maidan in Chattogram.