11-Party Alliance Prepares For Sept 19 Dhaka-Rangpur March

The liaison committee of the 11-party political alliance held a preparatory meeting on Sunday to finalise arrangements for its planned Dhaka-Rangpur Long March on September 19.

At the meeting, alliance leaders reiterated their demands for political reform, public security and economic stability.

The meeting was held at the official residence of the Leader of the Opposition at 29 Minto Road in Dhaka. It was chaired by Dr AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad, assistant secretary general of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, former MP and coordinator of the 11-party alliance.

Briefing reporters after the meeting, Azad said the alliance was working to take Bangladesh towards a new political system by ensuring people’s rights and security, national security and economic prosperity.

He said the alliance’s Dhaka-Chattogram Long March on September 5 had received an unexpectedly strong response, which he attributed to the people-oriented nature of the programme.

According to Azad, the Dhaka-Rangpur Long March will begin at 8am on September 19 from Manik Mia Avenue. Participants will gather from 7am, followed by an inaugural rally before the march begins.

Five roadside rallies will be held along the route in Gazipur, Tangail, Sirajganj, Bogura and Gaibandha. The programme will end with a rally at Rangpur Zila School ground, he said.

Azad said the alliance’s six-point demand had been expanded to seven points, with the new demand calling for an end to corruption, land grabbing and extortion.

He alleged that the situation had deteriorated further compared with the previous Awami League government.

He also criticised the government over the implementation of the outcome of a recent referendum on constitutional reforms.

Azad said elected MPs of the 11-party alliance had taken an oath from the outset to serve on the Constitutional Reform Council and had submitted notices in Parliament demanding implementation of the referendum verdict.

He alleged that the government had ignored and rejected the verdict of nearly 70 percent of voters by failing to take the oath of the Constitutional Reform Council on the first day.

He described the move as “a slap in the face of democracy” and an affront to the popular mandate.

Speaking about the energy situation, Azad alleged that the government had failed to resolve shortages of oil, gas and fertiliser.

He said the Leader of the Opposition had proposed forming a task force to address the crisis, but the government had not responded.

Instead, he alleged, fuel prices had been increased on the pretext of an artificial crisis, which he described as a breach of electoral commitments.

He also claimed that factories were closing one after another because of gas shortages and accused the government of failing to take effective measures to address the problem.

“The government has been running on a ‘single-track’ approach for the past six months without taking alternative measures to resolve the crisis, which is extremely risky,” he said.

Azad expressed concern over fertiliser shortages, warning that disruptions to agricultural production could create food insecurity and increase public suffering.

He also criticised the government over rising commodity prices, alleging that it had failed to control market syndicates and ensure effective market monitoring.

The alliance coordinator expressed concern over the law and order situation, alleging that killings, enforced disappearances and abductions were taking place and that opposition activists were being attacked.

He claimed that five Jamaat activists had been killed, saying the opposition had continued to raise the issue in Parliament and through street programmes.

Azad also criticised the government’s anti-corruption pledges, alleging that corruption, extortion and land grabbing had continued despite pre-election promises.

He said the situation had made people’s lives increasingly difficult and contributed to the country’s economic problems.

Azad said national consensus was necessary to address the economic crisis but alleged that the government was not considering proposals from the opposition.

He said the failure to resolve the crises through Parliament had prompted the 11-party alliance to take to the streets.

He called for cooperation from all concerned to ensure that the September 19 Dhaka-Rangpur Long March was held peacefully and urged people to participate in the march and roadside rallies.