We Will Remain on the Streets Until People’s Demands Are Fulfilled: Shafiqur Rahman

PNN News Desk, Dhaka

Jamaat-e-Islami Amir and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Dr Shafiqur Rahman has accused the government of deceiving the people and backtracking on its promises. He said they would remain on the streets until the people’s demands were fulfilled and would return home only after securing those demands.

He made the remarks on Saturday (September 5) while addressing a rally in the Paduar Bazar Bishwaroad area of Cumilla city as the chief guest of the Dhaka–Chattogram Long March organised by the 11-party alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami.

Shafiqur Rahman said many people had shed their blood on these streets during the anti-autocracy movement. Their expectations and demands have still not been fulfilled. He said they had taken to the streets again with the aim of implementing those demands.

He said their programme was being organised around several demands, including implementation of the referendum verdict and the spirit of the July mass uprising, ensuring gas supplies to people’s homes and uninterrupted electricity, and controlling extortion and drugs.

He announced that the movement would continue until these demands of the people were fulfilled.

The Jamaat chief questioned whether people were receiving electricity and gas 24 hours a day and whether extortion had actually stopped. He said the government must take these issues seriously. He also called for effective measures to prevent the spread of drugs.

At the rally, Jamaat-e-Islami Deputy Amir and Deputy Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Dr Abdullah Muhammad Taher called for implementation of the six-point demands of the 11-party alliance. He also demanded implementation of the verdict given by the people in the referendum.

National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener and Chief Whip of the Opposition Nahid Islam said the government must ensure supplies of oil, gas and electricity for the people. He also remarked that the government would not be able to remain in power if it failed to meet these basic needs. He also demanded implementation of the referendum verdict.

Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Chairman Colonel (retd) Oli Ahmed said the verdict given by the majority of the people must be implemented. He warned that if the government delayed implementing the people’s verdict, the movement against the government would be intensified.

Khelafat Majlis Amir Maulana Mamunul Haque said preparations must be made to face more difficult circumstances ahead to change the fate of the people and move Bangladesh in the right direction. According to him, the Dhaka–Chattogram Long March marks the beginning of the second phase of the ongoing movement.

The Dhaka–Chattogram Long March began from the capital on Saturday morning with the six-point demands of the 11-party alliance. After holding rallies at various locations, including Shimrail in Narayanganj, the programme reached Cumilla.

After the rally at Paduar Bazar Bishwaroad, the long march proceeded towards Chattogram.

The Cumilla rally was chaired by Jamaat-e-Islami Central Working Committee Member and Cumilla Metropolitan Amir Kazi Din Mohammad. Metropolitan Jamaat Secretary Md Mahbubur Rahman conducted the programme.

Jamaat Assistant Secretary Kamaruzzaman Sohel and Councillor Mosharraf Hossain, among other local leaders and activists, were also present.