Dhaka:The 11-party alliance has announced a nearly 400-kilometer-long march from Dhaka to Kushtia, scheduled for October 31, to push for its seven-point demands. The decision was made during an emergency meeting of the alliance's liaison committee held at the official residence of the Leader of the Opposition in the capital.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar informed journalists that the march would start at 8 am from the southern gate of Baitul Mukarram in Dhaka, following an opening rally at 7 am. The route will pass through locations including Padma Bridge, Shariatpur, Madaripur, Bhanga, Faridpur, Gopalganj, Fakirhat, Khulna, Jashore, Jhenaidah, and conclude with a rally at Kushtia Zilla School ground.
Roadside rallies are planned at various points including Naodoba in Shariatpur, Katakhali in Fakirhat, Babri Chattar in Khulna, Phultala in Khulna, Chanchra in Jashore, and Chuadanga Bus Stand intersection in Jhenaidah. The decision to reschedule the event from October 10 to October 31 was made to respect the upcoming Durga Puja celebrations.
Porwar emphasized the importance of extending sympathy and cooperation regarding the religious rights of the Hindu community and called for the cooperation of the administration, police, intelligence agencies, road authorities, transport workers, and local people to ensure a peaceful march. He assured that the alliance's activists would remain patient and restrained, even if provoked.
He also criticized the current law-and-order situation, highlighting the arrest of former lawmaker Major (retd) Akhtaruzzaman at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport and an alleged attack on NCP leader Nasiruddin Patwari's motorcade. Porwar condemned the attack on journalists at Rajshahi University and demanded accountability.
Regarding recent fuel-price hikes, Porwar stated the alliance's commitment to opposing these increases, arguing that they exacerbate public suffering. While supporting the legitimate demands of autorickshaw drivers, he clarified that the alliance does not endorse any form of violence or actions that disrupt public life.
The alliance plans to hold further meetings over the next 25 days to coordinate the preparations for the long march across its organizational structures.