Opposition alliance to stage third long march on 31 Oct

The 11-party Opposition Alliance, led-by Jamaat-e-Islami, will stage its next and third long march programme on 31 October, announced Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar on Monday.

The march will move from Dhaka to Khulna and back to Kushtia to press home the Opposition’s seven-point demand, Porwar said at a media briefing.

The march would begin from the south gate of Baitul Mukarram Mosque at 7am on 31 October, he added. Along the route, street rallies will be held in Shariatpur, Gopalganj, Khulna, Jashore, Jhenidah, and Kushtia.

The demands include implementation of the July Charter and referendum verdict, stopping politicisation of state institutions, reining in the law and order situation, and improving the energy supply crisis.

Speaking at the briefing, Porwar urged his activists and allies to avoid “all forms of provocations”, and instead focus on making the demonstration “successful.”

He alleged that the BNP government has turned vengeful towards the Opposition. Sunday’s attack on allied politician Nasiruddin Patwary was only the latest manifestation of this anger, he alleged.

He also condemned an attack on journalists at Rajshahi University allegedly by Chhatra Dal, the student wing of the ruling BNP.