11-party alliance to hold Dhaka-Ctg long march on Sept  5

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Opposition Leader Dr. Shafiqur Rahman on Thursday said the 11-party alliance has announced a fresh series of protest programmes to press its 11-point demands includinwg implementation of referendum verdict.
 
While addressing a sit-in programme in the capital, he said the movement will continue until the people's demands are fulfilled. 

The sit-in organised by the alliance at Muktangan in the capital protested the ongoing public suffering and unabated price hikes of oil, gas, electricity and essential commodities.

He also warned if the announced long marches are obstructed, they would move forward with greater public participation.
Jamaat chief said the 11-point demand is not for any particular political party, individual or group. According to him, it represents the rights of people of the country. 

He also alleged that in the past, opposition voices had been suppressed through shootings, killings, enforced disappearances, torture and occupation. 

He also announced a new schedule of protest programmes. The alliance will hold a Dhaka-Chattogram Long March on September 5, a Dhaka-Rangpur Long March on September 19, a Dhaka-Khulna Long March on October 10, a Dhaka-Sylhet Long March by rail on October 24, and a grand rally in Dhaka on November 14.

While announcing the programs, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman urged the government not to obstruct the long marches. He said that if any barriers were created, the marches would become even stronger. He later called on supporters to march towards the Secretariat and urged ministers, lawmakers and government officials to listen to the people's demands. He also asked that no misleading statements be made in Parliament.

The opposition leader demanded gas supply for households, uninterrupted electricity, safe drinking water and sufficient fuel for transport. He called for the withdrawal of the increased LPG price and urged the government not to raise gas prices further. He warned that if gas and electricity prices were increased again, the alliance would organize protest programs, including surrounding the relevant government offices if necessary.

NCP Convener and Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam MP said the large turnout despite heavy rain reflected public dissatisfaction with the government. He alleged that the government had failed to resolve the gas and electricity crisis within five months and had not implemented the referendum verdict. He said the government would lose its moral authority to remain in office if it could not ensure gas, electricity and employment.

Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) President Col. (Retd.) Oli Ahmed Bir Bikram said the country's economy was being harmed by extortion, loan defaults and corruption. He said honest, skilled and capable leadership was necessary to run the country.

Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar called for an end to violence on university campuses and urged that the expectations of families affected by the July movement be fulfilled. Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Secretary General Maulana Jalaluddin said the government could not avoid responsibility for the energy crisis and rising commodity prices. He demanded an immediate reduction in fuel and oil prices.

Bangladesh Labor Party Chairman Dr. Mostafizur Rahman Iran said industries were suffering because of shortages of gas and electricity, putting pressure on the national economy. Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Maulana Rafiqul Islam Khan MP called for an end to attacks, political favoritism and occupation.

AB Party General Secretary Barrister Asaduzzaman Fuad called for national unity to protect Bangladesh's energy security. He also expressed concern over gas resource management and plans related to LNG imports.

Leaders of other alliance partners, including the Bangladesh Nezam-e-Islam Party, JAGPA, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan and Bangladesh Development Party, also criticized the government's policies, the rising cost of living, the energy crisis and overall governance. They called for the implementation of the alliance's demands.

The rally was moderated by Jamaat-e-Islami Dhaka Metropolitan South Secretary Dr. Shafiqul Islam Masud MP and Dhaka Metropolitan North Assistant Secretary Dr. Fakhruddin. Leaders of different political parties, representatives of victims' families, labour organizations, business groups and professionals attended the program.

Among those present were Jamaat Assistant Secretary General and 11-party alliance coordinator Dr. AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad, Dhaka Metropolitan South Ameer Nurul Islam Bulbul MP, Barrister Nazibur Rahman Momen MP and other central leaders of the alliance.