11-party Alliance’s Long March Tomorrow

The Jamaat-led 11-party alliance will hold a long march from Dhaka to Chattogram on September 5 over six demands.

The demands include implementing the referendum verdict, bringing those responsible for the July massacre to justice, resolving shortages of electricity, oil, gas and fertiliser, curbing rising prices of essentials, improving law and order, and ending narrow partisan politics.

The alliance has completed preparations for the programme. Jamaat, NCP and other parties have conducted campaigns at different locations in the capital and distributed leaflets urging people to join the long march.

The long march will begin at 7am from Shapla Chattar in Motijheel and end at Laldighi Maidan in Chattogram. Initially, 5,000 to 6,000 vehicles were planned, but the number has been reduced to 1,000 due to fuel shortages, rising prices and concerns over public inconvenience.

Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar said the long march was not for any particular party but to demand implementation of the people’s verdict and an end to their hardships.

Meanwhile, Jamaat’s Dhaka North unit distributed leaflets yesterday in Karwan Bazar, Tejgaon Truck Stand and Satrasta to promote the programme.

NCP, a partner of the 11-party alliance, held a coordination meeting at its temporary office in Banglamotor yesterday. At a subsequent press conference, the party announced details of the programme and called on the government and administration to ensure security along the route.

NCP Member Secretary and MP Akhtar Hossain said the long march was being organised to end public suffering and implement the referendum verdict. He alleged that the government had failed to improve law and order, ensure supplies of electricity, oil, gas and fertiliser, control prices and advance trials over past acts of oppression.

Route and roadside rallies

NCP Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary said the long march would start at 7am on September 5 from Shapla Chattar. The alliance has discussed the programme with the IGP and will travel in an orderly line along one side of the road.

A rally will be held at Shapla Chattar from 7am to 8am, followed by the departure of the procession.

The first roadside rally after leaving Dhaka will be held at Siddhirganj Truck Stand around 9am. The procession will reach Cumilla at noon, where a rally and lunch break will be held at an open space opposite Nurjahan Hotel.

A rally will then be held at Feni’s Mohipal at 3pm and another in Mirsarai at 5pm. The long march will then proceed to historic Laldighi Maidan in Chattogram.