Govt 'deceiving' public, says Shafiqur, vows to stay on streets until demands met
He said the demands and expectations earned through bloodshed on the streets during the July Uprising have yet to be fully fulfilled.
Dr Shafiqur Rahman, leader of the opposition and Jamaat-e-Islami ameer, has accused the BNP government of deceiving the public and breaking its promises, warning that people "will not forgive" the administration.
The opposition alliance led by his party "will remain on the streets until the people's demands are fulfilled," Shafiqur vowed while addressing a rally in Cumilla's Paduar Bazar Bishwa Road area this afternoon (5 September) as part of the bloc's Dhaka–Chattogram long march.
He said the demands and expectations earned through bloodshed on the streets during the July Uprising have yet to be fully fulfilled.
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"Your comrades shed blood on this road against autocracy, yet their demands remain unfulfilled. We have taken to the streets to realise those demands and we will only return home after achieving them," Shafiqur added.
Calling for the implementation of the 12 February referendum verdict and the spirit of the uprising, the Jamaat chief said, "We have taken to the streets to implement the people's verdict and the spirit of the July Uprising, restore gas to your homes and ensure electricity and lighting."
He asked the crowd whether they are receiving uninterrupted electricity and gas and whether extortion is taking place.
Referring to the spread of drugs across the country, he called for effective measures to control the drug trade.
"The home minister is serving as the minister of all ministries, but he does not even know what is happening next to his own home," he said.
Referring to a statement by BNP MP Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Shafiqur said the lawmaker has previously claimed that the largest drug consignments enter through an area near the home minister's residence.
He also accused the government of failing to maintain law and order.
On the demand for a separate Cumilla division, he said it was raised in 1994, while Sylhet was made a division around the same time, but Cumilla was not.
"Give Cumilla division without any excuses. Noakhali is also demanding it, so give it to them too. But Cumilla must come first," he urged the government.
He said Cumilla has an Export Processing Zone (EPZ) and called for a quick decision on the proposed airport after a necessary feasibility study.
Jamaat Nayeb-e-Ameer and Opposition Deputy Leader Abdullah Muhammad Taher called for the implementation of the long march's six-point demand and referendum verdict.
NCP Convener and Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam said supplies of oil, gas and electricity must be ensured.
"If these basic demands are not fulfilled, the government will not be able to remain in power," he said, also calling for implementation of the referendum verdict.
Liberal Democratic Party Chairman Colonel (retd) Oli Ahmad said the verdict of 70% of the country's people must be implemented.
Khelafat Majlis Ameer Maulana Mamunul Haque said people must remain prepared to face tougher challenges ahead to change their fortunes and take the country in the right direction.
He said the long march marks the beginning of the second phase of the ongoing movement.
The Dhaka–Chattogram march began in the capital this morning with the 11-party alliance's six-point demand.
After rallies at different points, including Shimrail in Narayanganj, the march reached Paduar Bazar Bishwa Road in Cumilla, where another rally was held before it headed towards Chattogram.
The Dhaka- and Chattogram-bound lanes of the highway were closed during the long march, causing minor traffic congestion in the area.
