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DHAKA: Leaders of the 11-party alliance held an important meeting to review the country’s current political situation and discuss preparations for a long march from Dhaka to Khulna and Kushtia on October 31.
The meeting was held at the official residence of the opposition leader on Tuesday morning (October 27). Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish Amir Maulana Mamunul Haque briefed journalists at 11:30am following the meeting.
Mamunul Haque said the long march was organised to press for the implementation of the public verdict in the referendum; justice for the July massacre; resolution of shortages of electricity, fuel, gas and fertiliser; control of rising prices of essential commodities; an end to corruption, extortion and land grabbing; improvement of law and order; and an end to narrow partisan practices.
He said the 11-party alliance was also organising nationwide programmes to address crises affecting citizens and secure people’s legitimate demands. Long marches had previously been held successfully in Chattogram and the northern region, and the October 31 programme would be the third phase of the initiative.
He said the programme would also demand judicial independence and effectiveness, an end to corruption and extortion, and justice for all killings, including the July massacre, the Shapla massacre and the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi.
Expressing hope that the programme would attract spontaneous participation from people across all walks of life, as in the previous two long marches, Mamunul said it would begin with a rally at 7am on October 31 at the south gate of the National Mosque Baitul Mukarram in Dhaka. The procession would pass through several locations before concluding in Kushtia.
He said the alliance had sought cooperation from law enforcement agencies and the administration to ensure the programme proceeded peacefully. The authorities had assured them that no obstacles or disruptive activities would be created, he added.
However, he warned that any attempt to disrupt the long march would be resisted at all costs to ensure its success.
Mamunul said the 11-party alliance had so far pursued relatively moderate programmes to establish people’s rights and had played a responsible role by seeking to cooperate with the government both inside and outside parliament. However, he said, the government’s behaviour suggested a lack of sincerity in accepting cooperation from the opposition.
In this situation, the alliance could announce tougher programmes if necessary to secure people’s rights, he said, urging the government to understand public aspirations and take appropriate steps.
Expressing concern over the upcoming local government elections, Mamunul questioned whether the polls would be impartial. Alleging that appointments at the secretary level of the Election Commission had been made on partisan considerations, he said such moves had raised questions about the commission’s neutrality. He also expressed concern over the commission’s role in the by-election in Thakurgaon.
He called on the Election Commission to act impartially, warning that the alliance would not remain silent if people’s voting rights were undermined. It could announce major programmes against the commission if necessary, he added.
Strongly criticising recent remarks by the Inspector General of Police on the law and order situation, Mamunul said comments concerning extrajudicial killings or crossfire were deeply concerning. Such remarks were not expected from an official entrusted with the highest responsibility for maintaining law and order, he said, adding that the comments had left the public stunned and raised concerns about the country’s overall security situation.
Regarding the prime minister’s recent state visit, Mamunul questioned the suitability of some members of the delegation for representing the state. He said the arrangements appeared to risk turning an important state visit into an entertainment tour and urged the government to act more responsibly.
On the upcoming fourth session of parliament, he expressed doubts about whether the government would work with the opposition to resolve major national issues through consensus. Leaders of the 11-party alliance would meet again before the session to decide their next course of action, he said.
Asked whether the long march convoy might face an untoward situation while passing through Gopalganj, Mamunul said the alliance did not anticipate any such incident. He expressed confidence that the programme could proceed normally if law enforcement agencies remained alert.
He said a large number of Islamist and patriotic people in Gopalganj would join the long march and were prepared to respond to any acts of violence or disruption. He also urged the local administration to discharge its responsibilities properly, warning that the government and administration would bear responsibility if any unexpected situation arose.
Responding to a question about the selection of venues for the programme, Mamunul said the alliance had discussed the facilities and access routes at several locations. A final decision would be made after considering space constraints and limited access routes, particularly in the district school area. The decision would be announced soon, he added.
Asked about allegations of a meeting with an Indian intelligence official, he said those making the allegations would be in a better position to provide details. He maintained that the 11-party alliance was not part of any conspiracy or plot but was working together to reform the state, uphold the dignity of martyrs’ sacrifices, counter hegemonic influence and determine Bangladesh’s future state structure.
He expressed optimism that the alliance would expand its reach in the struggle to establish people’s rights and determine the country’s future direction.
Mamunul called on patriotic citizens from all walks of life, the media and other relevant stakeholders to cooperate in making the October 31 Dhaka-Khulna-Kushtia long march successful.
The meeting was chaired by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Opposition Leader Dr Shafiqur Rahman. Among those present were NCP Convener Nahid Islam; LDP President and freedom fighter Colonel (retd) Oli Ahmed; Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General and former MP Mia Golam Porwar; Assistant Secretary General and former MP Dr AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad; NCP Senior Joint Convener Nasiruddin Patwary; Nizam-e-Islam Party Acting Ameer Maulana Abdul Qayyum Subhani; Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan Ameer Allama Abu Zafar; Bangladesh Labour Party Chairman Dr Mostafizur Rahman Iran; JAGPA Vice-President and spokesperson Engineer Rashed Pradhan; Bangladesh Development Party Chairman Advocate AKM Anwarul Islam Chan; Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish Secretary General Maulana Jalaluddin Ahmad; LDP Acting Secretary General Billal Hossain Miazi; Nizam-e-Islam Party Senior Naib-e-Ameer Abdul Majed Athari; AB Party Joint Secretary General Abdullah Al Mamun Rana; JAGPA Secretary General Professor Iqbal Hossain; BDP Secretary Nizam ul Haque Naim; and Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan Secretary General Mufti Fakhrul Islam, among others.
