11-party long march to press for 7 demands: Porwar

Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar has expressed hope that the third phase of the 11-party alliance's long march from Dhaka to Khulna, Jashore, Jhenaidah and Kushtia will draw massive public participation.

The 410-kilometre programme is scheduled for Saturday to press for seven demands, including implementation of the referendum results, justice for the July massacre, control of commodity prices, resolution of energy shortages and an end to corruption, extortion and partisan influence in public institutions.

Speaking at a press conference at the party's central office in Moghbazar on Friday, Parwar said the programme would be the longest of the alliance's three long marches.

He accused the government of failing to implement the referendum results, control rising prices and improve law and order. He also alleged that corruption, extortion, land grabbing and political influence over government institutions were continuing.

"The pattern of extortion has not changed; only the identities and party affiliations of those involved have changed," he said.

Porwar said participants from 19 districts were expected to join the procession, with around 1,500 vehicles anticipated. The main convoy, comprising approximately 600 vehicles, will leave Dhaka at 8:00am following an opening rally at the south gate of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque at 7:00am.

The procession will pass through Shariatpur, Madaripur, Faridpur, Gopalganj, Bagerhat, Khulna, Jashore and Jhenaidah before reaching Kushtia. A concluding rally is scheduled at Shaheed Arafat Fahad Stadium in Kushtia at 8:30pm.

Acknowledging possible traffic disruptions, Porwar apologised to commuters and local residents, saying organisers would try to minimise public inconvenience by using one side of the highway.