Staff Correspondent

The 11-party alliance has begun a “long march” from Dhaka to Chattogram, pressing for the implementation of the public mandate expressed through the referendum, the trial of those responsible for the July massacre, an end to shortages of electricity, fuel, gas and fertiliser, measures to curb rising prices of essential commodities, an end to extortion and corruption, improvement of the law-and-order situation, and an end to narrow partisanisation, among other demands.

The programme began with an inaugural rally at Shapla Chattar in the capital at 7am on Saturday (September 5). Dr Shafiqur Rahman, ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, addressed the rally as the chief guest.

The rally began with the recitation of the Holy Quran. Dr A.H.M. Hamidur Rahman Azad, assistant secretary-general of Jamaat-e-Islami and coordinator of the 11-party alliance, delivered the opening remarks.

Top leaders of the 11-party alliance also addressed the gathering. After the speeches by Dr Shafiqur Rahman and other leaders, the long-march convoy departed from Shapla Chattar for Chattogram.

Several roadside rallies are scheduled to be held at different locations along the designated route. These include the truck stand adjacent to Kachpur Bridge in Narayanganj, Padua Bazar Bishwaroad in Cumilla, Mahipal in Feni and Mirsarai.

The final programme of the long march is scheduled to be a public rally at Laldighi Maidan in Chattogram.