11-party's Dhaka-Chattogram long march with 1,500 vehicles today
Business leaders urge parties to avoid programmes that hurt economy
The 11-party alliance led by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami is set to hold a Dhaka-Chattogram long march today (4 September), demanding implementation of the referendum verdict and aspirations of the July uprising, an end to the fuel and power crisis, curbing extortion and corruption, improved law and order, and control of rising prices of essential commodities.
The long march is expected to involve around 1,500 vehicles, Jamaat Secretary General and long march implementation committee Convener Mia Golam Porwar said after the alliance's final preparatory meeting at its central office yesterday.
The procession will begin at 7am from Shapla Chattar in Motijheel and end with a rally at Laldighi Maidan in Chattogram in the afternoon.
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The alliance will also hold rallies at the truck stand near Kanchpur Bridge in Narayanganj, Paduar Bazar Bishwaroad in Cumilla, Mohipal in Feni and Mirsarai. Its leaders and activists will join the programme along both sides of the Dhaka-Chattogram Highway, Porwar said.
The Chattogram unit of the National Citizens Party also detailed the programme at a press conference yesterday at its city office in Chawkbazar.
After the meeting, Porwar said the alliance did not anticipate any sabotage and expected the long march to remain peaceful. He said the alliance had informed the inspector general of police about the programme in writing.
He urged the government to provide administrative support for the long march and warned that any attempt by the government or its supporters to create an adverse situation would erode public confidence and trigger public anger.
Porwar alleged that the government had taken no initiative to implement the referendum verdict even after six months in office.
"We are not waging any movement to topple the government. Our demand, and that of the people, is that you accept the referendum verdict and our six-point demands," he said.
Meanwhile, business leaders warned that disruptions to the Dhaka-Chattogram Highway during the long march could further hurt an economy already grappling with fuel shortages.
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association President Mahmud Hasan Khan told TBS that political parties had the right to hold programmes in the current democratic environment but should avoid those that cause public suffering or harm the economy.
