The Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party alliance held a major rally in Bogura on Saturday as part of its Dhaka-Rangpur long march, pressing demands including implementation of the referendum verdict and the Teesta Master Plan.
The rally was held at Matidali Airport intersection in Bogura in the afternoon, drawing a large gathering of activists and supporters. After the programme, the long-march convoy resumed its journey towards Rangpur. The alliance had planned roadside rallies in five districts along the route before a concluding gathering in Rangpur.
Addressing the rally, Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Leader of the Opposition Dr Shafiqur Rahman criticised the government over what he described as failures to address public concerns, including shortages of fertiliser, electricity and gas.
He called on the government to respond to the alliance’s demands, saying the programme would continue until those demands were addressed. Earlier in the day, he had said the alliance’s eight-point demands could eventually turn into a single demand if the government failed to respond.
Jamaat Secretary General and alliance convener Mia Golam Parwar said the government had failed to implement what the alliance described as the people’s verdict in the referendum.
He also called for immediate diplomatic initiatives to implement the Teesta Master Plan, which the alliance recently added to its list of demands. The alliance’s eight demands include implementation of the referendum verdict, justice for those responsible for the July killings, resolution of electricity, fuel, gas and fertiliser shortages, control of essential commodity prices, improvement of law and order, an end to politicisation of the administration, action against corruption and extortion, and implementation of the Teesta Master Plan.
Khelafat Majlis Ameer Maulana Mamunul Haque said the alliance was seeking to conduct its programme without causing unnecessary suffering to ordinary people. He said the movement had brought together political forces around a set of common demands.
NCP Convener and Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam also addressed the programme and called for the government to recognise the demands raised by the people.
Other central leaders, including LDP President Col (retd) Oli Ahmed, also spoke at the rally. Their speeches focused on the referendum verdict, rising prices of essential commodities, law and order, corruption, extortion, land grabbing and alleged politicisation of the administration.
The long march was preceded by several preparatory programmes in Bogura. Local leaders of Jamaat and its allied parties organised meetings, public outreach programmes and leaflet distribution campaigns ahead of Saturday’s rally.
Local Jamaat leaders and activists mobilised supporters from Bogura and surrounding areas for the programme.
The Dhaka-Rangpur long march began at Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka at 7am on Saturday and was scheduled to pass through Gazipur, Tangail, Sirajganj, Bogura and Gaibandha before concluding with a rally at Rangpur Zilla School ground.
Security measures were strengthened in Bogura city and along major highways ahead of the long march. Additional security personnel were deployed around Matidali and other key points to maintain traffic movement and public safety.
Following the Matidali rally, the alliance’s convoy resumed its journey towards Rangpur, where the long march was scheduled to conclude with a central gathering.
