Backlash if Dhaka-Ctg long march disturbed: Porwar

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General and convener of the long march implementation committee Mia Golam Porwar said the 11-party alliance has warned that any attempt by government supporters or others to create an adverse situation during its Dhaka-Chattogram long march could lead to a loss of public confidence and eventually trigger public backlash.

“If any group or anyone from the government creates an adverse situation during the long march, they will lose public confidence and face public anger,” Golam Parwar said on Friday.

He expressed hope that the government and its supporters would not take such an “unwise” course.

Porwar made the remarks while briefing journalists after a final preparatory meeting of the 11-party alliance at Jamaat’s central office in Moghbazar, Dhaka, at around 11:00am.

The long march from Dhaka to Chattogram will be held on Saturday, September 5, to press for implementation of the referendum verdict, trial of the July mass killings, resolution of shortages of electricity, fuel, gas and fertiliser, control of prices of essential commodities, an end to extortion and corruption, improvement of law and order, and an end to excessive partisanisation.

Porwar said the government had not taken steps to implement the referendum verdict even after six months in office. Rather, he alleged, it had turned away from implementing the verdict.

“We are not carrying out any movement to oust the government,” he said, adding that their demand was for the government to accept the referendum verdict and the alliance’s six-point demands.

He also called upon the government to cooperate with what he described as the largest peaceful political programme of the opposition.

Porwar said the alliance had so far found no indication of possible sabotage and expected the long march to remain peaceful. He said the alliance had informed the Inspector General of Police in writing about the programme.

According to him, around 1,500 vehicles are expected to join the long march. The programme will begin with an inaugural rally at Shapla Chattar in Motijheel at 7:00am.

Roadside rallies will be held at predetermined points, including the truck stand near Kanchpur Bridge in Narayanganj, Paduar Bazar Bishwaroad in Cumilla, Mohipal and Mirsarai. The programme will conclude with a public rally at Laldighi Maidan in Chattogram.

Meanwhile, Jamaat Central Assistant Secretary General Mohammad Shahjahan urged people to turn the concluding Laldighi rally into a massive gathering.

Addressing a rally at Probortak Mor in Chattogram on Friday, he called for peaceful and disciplined participation in the long march, saying united political action was necessary to realise what he described as people's legitimate demands.