Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar on Friday urged the government, administration and police not to obstruct the Dhaka-Rangpur long march organised by the 11-party alliance and to ensure that it is held peacefully.
The long march, organised by Jamaat and 10 other political parties, is scheduled to begin on Saturday.
“Peaceful democratic political programmes should not be obstructed in any way. We will make the long march a success with utmost patience and restraint without falling into any provocation,” Parwar said.
He was speaking at a press conference at Jamaat’s central office in Moghbazar on Friday, where the party briefed journalists on its preparations for the programme.
Parwar also sought cooperation from political parties and the media to ensure the long march is conducted peacefully and without obstruction.
Parwar said the organisers received cooperation from the public, administration, pedestrians, small traders and transport operators during their 5 September long march from Dhaka to Laldighi in Chattogram.
He thanked journalists who covered the previous programme despite the difficulties involved.
Preparations have been underway for several days at the district and upazila levels along the Dhaka-Rangpur route, he said.
Leaders from Dhaka, Gazipur, Tangail, Sirajganj, Bogura and Gaibandha, among other areas, attended an online meeting on Thursday night to review preparations, according to Parwar.
He said extensive arrangements had been made for roadside rallies and public gatherings along the route.
The demand for implementation of the Teesta Master Plan has also been added to the demands raised through the long march, Parwar said.
He called on the government to take immediate diplomatic and administrative steps to address the long-standing demand concerning the Teesta.
More than 1,000 vehicles are expected to join the long march, he said, adding that participants from the 11 parties would be organised into separate groups and assigned specific responsibilities.
Teams for discipline, security, reception, medical services, transportation, IT, cultural activities and media coordination have been formed, Parwar said.
“We will not take revenge even if we are attacked. If the long march can be made successful even after enduring an attack, we will consider that an achievement,” he said.
Parwar apologised in advance for any temporary inconvenience caused to commuters and businesses because of the programme.
He acknowledged that traffic movement and business activities could face some disruption but said people had endured similar difficulties in the past in the interest of democratic movements.
He also assured journalists covering the long march that they would be able to move freely, take photographs and broadcast live without obstruction. He said the organisers’ discipline and security teams had been instructed accordingly.
Jamaat Assistant Secretary General AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad, Central Council Member Mobarak Hossain, Dhaka North city unit Secretary Rezaul Karim, Media Department member Zahidur Rahman, Dhaka North city unit Media Department President Md Ataur Rahman Sarker and Yasin Arafat were present at the press conference.
