Thousands of leaders and activists of BNP's Dhaka South City unit marched towards the capital's Malibagh from Kamalapur Stadium, ending the party’s 4-day programme to press home their 10-point demand, including holding the next general election under a non-party caretaker government.
BNP standing committee member Mirza Abbas formally inaugurated the programme in front of Bir Shrestha Shaheed Sipahi Mohammad Mostafa Kamal Stadium in Kamalapur around 3:25 pm Wednesday.
The march ended at Malibgah Bazar after parading nearly a five-kilometre stretch of the road via Mugda and Khilgaon.
This was the fourth and last such padajatra (street march) of BNP, as the party's Dhaka north city unit marched from Badda to Malibagh on Saturday and the Dhaka south city unit marched from Jatrabari to Jurain on Monday and North City unit marched from Gabtoli to Mirpur on Tuesday.
In a brief address prior to launching the march, Abbas said the government has become scared of losing power even seeing a silent march of BNP. “The fall of this regime is impending and their days are numbered.”
“When we shout, Awami League becomes afraid, if we remain silent, Awami League also gets sacred. We said we’ll march silently. As the road is shaking during the BNP's march, they’re getting scared of it,” he said.
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The BNP leader also said their march is an advanced funeral procession of the current government.
Abbas slammed the government for increasing the power tariff just 19 days after the previous hike.
He said the current ‘fascist and monstrous’ regime must be removed from power to ensure the welfare of the people and protect the country from misrule.
The BNP leader said people have taken to the streets and they will not return home until the Awami League government is unseated. “We must oust this regime together with people.”
Abbas asked the party leaders and activists to hold the programme in a peaceful and disciplined manner without responding to any provocation.
BNP South City unit convener Abdus Salam said the people are facing a serious ordeal due to the price hikes in all daily essentials. “When people are struggling to cope with the skyrocketing prices of essential commodities, the government has been raising the prices of power and other utility services only to loot public money.”
He urged the country’s people to join their ongoing movement to ensure the fall of the current Awami League government to restore democracy and all the lost rights of people.
Thousands of leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies joined the programme, carrying banners, national and party flags, festoons and portraits of the party's top leaders.
Huge tailbacks were created on Kamalapur, Mugda and Khilgaon roads due to the marches, causing serious suffering to commuters.
A huge number of law enforcers have been deployed in the area to maintain law and order and fend off any untoward incidents.
Earlier on January 26 last, BNP announced the four-day march programme in the capital for January 28, 30, 31 and February 1.
Source: United News of Bangladesh