11-party alliance  Dhaka-Rangpur long march Sept 19

A preparatory meeting was held at the central office of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami in Dhaka on Tuesday to ensure a peaceful, disciplined and smooth implementation of the 11-party alliance’s Dhaka-Rangpur long march scheduled for September 19.

The meeting was chaired by Mia Golam Porwar, secretary general of Jamaat-e-Islami and convener of the long march implementation committee.

Jamaat leaders and representatives from Dhaka North, Gazipur, Tangail, Sirajganj, Bogura, Joypurhat, Pabna, Gaibandha and Rangpur, along with officials responsible for student and labour welfare, attended the meeting.

The leaders said the long march would press for implementation of the people’s mandate in the referendum, trial of those responsible for the July massacre, resolution of shortages of electricity, fuel, gas and fertiliser, and control of rising prices of essential commodities.

They also demanded improvement of law and order, an end to corruption, extortion and land grabbing, and an end to narrow partisanisation at all levels of the administration.

Jamaat Ameer and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Dr Shafiqur Rahman, along with senior leaders of the 11-party alliance, will lead the programme.

The meeting outlined an inaugural rally at Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka, a human chain along the Dhaka-Rangpur route, rallies at several points, and a concluding rally on Rangpur Zilla School ground.

Organisers urged leaders at all levels to intensify preparations, public outreach and distribution of leaflets and maintain communication with the administration to ensure the programme’s successful implementation.