Jamaat leaders stayed in country despite risks, will never flee for fear of tyrants: Shafiqur

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman today (24 January) said his party's leaders had remained in the country despite severe risks during the previous government's tenure and would never flee out of fear.

Addressing a public gathering of the 10-party electoral alliance in Gaibandha this morning, Shafiqur said Jamaat leaders had paid a heavy price for staying in the country.

"Our leaders stayed in the country taking risks – they have been hanged. We will not flee the country for fear of tyrants. In happiness and sorrow, relying on Allah, we will remain with the countrymen," he said.

He said he had come to speak on behalf of people who, according to him, had faced repression over the past 15 years, including families who lost parents and children.

He described himself as "the voice of the persecuted people".

Referring to the condition of the northern region, Shafiqur said rivers in the region had dried up and economic activity had declined.

"Ships once sailed in the rivers flowing through this region; now even boats do not sail. The river water has evaporated, and they have now turned into deserts," he said.

He said that if Jamaat formed the government with public support, priority would be given to reviving dead rivers in the northern districts.

He said Jamaat aimed to develop the region as an agro-based hub.

"Farmers do not get fair prices because of extortionists and middlemen. We will eliminate the extortionists," he said, adding that those involved would be given opportunities for lawful work and dignified livelihoods.

Shafiqur said the region lacked sufficient agricultural universities and that Gaibandha should be prioritised after assessment.

"Even though there was a decision to establish an EPZ, there is no implementation. To market the products produced in this region through processing and to capture the global market, the EPZ will be implemented," he said.

He further said medical colleges would be established in all districts in phases and that specialised hospitals would be developed through both public and private initiatives.

On governance, he said development would accelerate if laundered money was recovered and future corruption prevented.

He also referred to the July movement, saying its martyrs had envisioned a Bangladesh free from corruption, injustice and hegemonism.

"If the referendum on 12 February is successful, the general election will be successful. You must say 'Yes' in favour of the referendum. To show respect to the July martyrs, you must say 'Yes'," he said.

At the end of the programme, Shafiqur Rahman handed over scales (Daripalla), Jamaat's election symbol, to party candidates for the Gaibandha-1 to Gaibandha-5 constituencies.