Cumilla: Leader of the Opposition and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman announced on Saturday that his party would continue its street protests until the people's demands are met, accusing the government of deceiving the populace and failing to uphold its commitments.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Dr Rahman made these remarks while addressing a rally at Paduar Bazar Biswaroad in Cumilla, part of the Dhaka-Chattogram long march organized by the Jamaat-led 11-party alliance. Dr Rahman emphasized that despite the populace's sacrifices in their struggle against authoritarianism, their demands remain unfulfilled.
The Jamaat chief highlighted the alliance's objectives, which include implementing the public mandate from the referendum and honoring the spirit of the July mass uprising. He stressed the need to restore gas supplies to homes and ensure a stable electricity supply. Dr Rahman also raised concerns about the prevalence of extortion and questioned the reliability of gas and electricity services, while calling for effective measures to combat the drug crisis engulfing the country.
Jamaat Naib-e-Ameer and Deputy Leader of the Opposition Dr Abdullah Muhammad Taher echoed these sentiments, urging the government to fulfill the alliance's six-point demands and adhere to the referendum mandate. National Citizen Party Convener and Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam emphasized the necessity of uninterrupted oil, gas, and electricity supplies, warning that the government risks losing power if it fails to satisfy these basic demands.
Liberal Democratic Party Chairman Colonel (retd) Oli Ahmed stressed the importance of implementing the mandate supported by 70 percent of the populace, cautioning that the government must be compelled to fail if it does not automatically implement the mandate. Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Ameer Mamunul Haque urged citizens to brace for tougher challenges in order to change their fortunes and steer the country in the right direction, marking the long march as the beginning of the second phase of the ongoing movement.
The Dhaka-Chattogram long march commenced in the capital on Saturday morning, with six key demands from the alliance. The procession made several stops for rallies, including at Shimrail in Narayanganj, before reaching Cumilla for the rally at Paduar Bazar Bishwaroad and continuing towards Chattogram. The 11-party alliance leaders and local Jamaat leaders were also present at the event.
Their six-point demands include the implementation of the public's decision from the February 12 referendum, accountability for the July 2024 mass killings, addressing the energy crisis, controlling the rising prices of essential commodities, ending extortion and corruption, improving law and order, and ceasing narrow partisan politics.