‘Eight-point demands may turn into a single-point’

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Leader of the Opposition Dr Shafiqur Rahman has warned that the eight-point demands raised by the 11-party alliance could be turned into a single-point demand if the government fails to implement them.

“If our eight-point demands are not accepted, they will turn into a one-point demand. We are holding the Dhaka-Rangpur Long March. In the future, we will march towards Dhaka. Prepare yourselves to travel to Dhaka from Sirajganj,” he said.

Dr Shafiqur made the remarks while addressing a roadside rally at Hatikumrul in Sirajganj on Saturday afternoon as part of the 11-party alliance’s Dhaka-Rangpur Long March.

The long march is being organised with demands including implementation of the people’s verdict in the referendum, trial of those responsible for the July mass killings, an end to shortages of electricity, fuel, gas and fertiliser, control of rising prices of essential commodities, an end to corruption, extortion and land grabbing, improvement of law and order, an end to narrow partisan practices, and implementation of the Teesta Master Plan.

“If the government does not accept the eight-point demands willingly, they will turn into a one-point demand,” the Jamaat chief said.

National Citizen Party Convener and Chief Whip of the Opposition Nahid Islam, Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb-e-Ameer and MP ATM Azharul Islam, along with central and local leaders of the 11-party alliance, also addressed the rally.

Sirajganj district Jamaat Ameer Shahinur Alam presided over the programme, which began at around 8am. Despite the intense heat, thousands of people gathered at the venue, turning the roadside rally into a large public gathering.

Earlier, the long march was inaugurated with a large rally at Manik Mia Avenue in the capital, where top leaders of the 11-party alliance addressed the gathering. Following the rally, the procession set out for Rangpur at around 8am and later reached Hatikumrul for the roadside rally.

After the Sirajganj programme, the long march is scheduled to proceed towards Rangpur, with rallies planned at Matidali Airport intersection in Bogura and Palashbari in Gaibandha. The march will conclude with a rally at Rangpur Zilla School ground.