The Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party alliance has cut the number of vehicles planned for its Sept 5 long march from Dhaka to Chattogram to around 1,000, citing fuel shortages and concerns over public inconvenience.
National Citizen Party Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary announced the decision at a media briefing at the party's central office in Banglamotor on Thursday.
The alliance had initially planned to use between 5,000 and 6,000 vehicles.
Patwary said the convoy would travel in a single line following discussions with police, while NCP leader Sarjis Alam called on the government and law-enforcing agencies to ensure security throughout the route from Shapla Chattar in Dhaka to Laldighi Maidan in Chattogram.
“We don't want our long march to add to people’s suffering,” Patwary said.
“Although we had initially planned for 5,000 to 6,000 vehicles, we have brought that down to around 1,000.”
He said people were already facing difficulties over electricity and gas shortages and high commodity prices.
The organisers would also take steps to ensure ambulances were not held up in traffic caused by the convoy, he added.
Route and Schedule
Participants will begin gathering around Shapla Chattar in Motijheel at 7am on Saturday, according to the organisers.
Senior alliance leaders will address the gathering before the convoy leaves for Chattogram at around 8am.
The first rally is scheduled for around 9am at Chittagong Road in Siddhirganj, Narayanganj.
The convoy is then expected to stop in Cumilla around noon for a rally and meal break before reaching Mohipal in Feni at around 3pm.
Another rally is planned in Mirsharai at around 5pm.
The long march is expected to end with a rally at Laldighi Maidan in Chattogram at around 9pm.
The alliance also plans similar programmes to Rangpur, Khulna and Sylhet.
Patwary said the alliance would later hold a rally in Dhaka involving people it had met during the long marches.
“We are coming to listen to the people,” he said. “We will discuss how a new Bangladesh can be built.”
