11-Party Alliance Begins Dhaka-Rangpur Long March

The Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party alliance on Saturday began its Dhaka-Rangpur long march, with opposition leader and Jamaat Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman urging the government to accept the alliance’s demands and warning of a serious situation if they are ignored.

Speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural rally near the south side of the Jatiya Sangsad complex on Manik Mia Avenue in the capital, Shafiqur Rahman said the alliance would return home only after securing the people’s demands.

“This is our second long march. The first one was from Dhaka to Chattogram and, by the grace of Allah, it was successful,” he said.

Referring to developments in the capital over the past two days, he urged those in positions of responsibility not to become frustrated or lose their temper, but instead to try to address the demands being raised by the public.

He said the alliance’s demands could increase further depending on the circumstances.

“Today, remember the eight demands. These could become nine or 10. Again, in the interest of the nation, they could turn into a single demand at any time. When that happens, the situation will be very serious,” he said.

He urged the government to learn from recent events and accept the demands before the situation escalates.

“If you fail to accept the demands, let me make it clear that no conspiracy will work. We will not be deterred by anything,” he said.

Shafiqur Rahman said the alliance was not taking to the streets over demands of any particular political party.

“We have taken to the streets with the demands of 180 million people. Millions of people are with us. We will return home after achieving those demands, InshaAllah,” he said.

He also prayed for the success of the long march and the alliance’s upcoming programmes, saying the movement had begun and would continue until the demands were met.

The long march formally began with an inaugural rally at Manik Mia Avenue in the morning. The procession is scheduled to travel towards Rangpur, with roadside rallies planned at several points along the route and a concluding rally at Rangpur Zilla School ground.

The alliance has been pressing a range of demands, including implementation of the referendum verdict, justice for those killed during the July uprising, improvement of law and order, resolution of power, fuel and fertiliser shortages, measures to contain rising prices, an end to corruption, extortion and land grabbing, and implementation of the Teesta Master Plan.

Leaders including NCP Convener Nahid Islam, LDP Chairman Col (retd) Oli Ahmed, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Ameer Allama Mamunul Haque, Jatiya Ganatantrik Party leader Engineer Rashed Pradhan, Bangladesh Labour Party Chairman Dr Mostafizur Rahman Iran, Bangladesh Development Party Chairman Anwarul Islam and AB Party Chairman Mujibur Rahman Manju also addressed the inaugural programme.