The 11-party alliance led by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has announced a long march across Khulna division on October 31.
The alliance is protesting what it calls a unilateral attempt to amend the constitution that bypasses the legal process approved in the referendum. It is also pressing for improved law and order and other demands.
Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar announced the programme at a press conference held at the Jashore Press Club auditorium on Sunday afternoon.
Porwar said that in the referendum, 70 percent of the country's voters backed implementing reforms through a constitution reform council. "But the government is ignoring the people's verdict, excluding opposition parties and moving to amend the constitution through its own process," he said.
He added that Jamaat Ameer and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Shafiqur Rahman, along with the top leaders of the 11 parties, have already rejected the government's move.
The alliance's seven-point demands include carrying out constitutional reform through the legal process in line with the referendum verdict, improving the deteriorating law and order situation, and bringing prices of essential commodities under control.
The coalition also demands an end to shortages of electricity, fuel, gas and fertiliser, and a halt to partisan politicisation in the administration, educational institutions and all other sectors.
Other demands include stopping corruption, extortion and illegal land grabbing, and swiftly arresting and trying those responsible for the killings during the July mass uprising.
According to the announcement, the long march will begin at 7:00 a.m. on October 31 with an inaugural rally at the south gate of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque in Dhaka.
The 12-hour programme will include brief roadside rallies at several points, including Jashore's Murali Mor and the Jhenaidah bus terminal. It will conclude with a public rally at the Kushtia Government College ground.
Leaders said around 1,000 vehicles could join the procession. The convoy will leave Dhaka and pass through Mawa in Munshiganj, Naodoba in Shariatpur, Katakhali Mor in Rajshahi, Shibbari and Phultala in Khulna, Murali Mor in Jashore and the Jhenaidah terminal before reaching Kushtia.
The organisers urged the roads and highways authorities and local administrations to quickly repair damaged sections of roads and highways to ease the movement of vehicles.
They also sought cooperation from local police and other law enforcement agencies to ensure the march's security.
Jamaat leaders expressed advance regret for any temporary inconvenience the long march may cause to the public along the route.
Current and former members of parliament from Jhenaidah, Chuadanga, Meherpur and other districts of Khulna division, as well as top local leaders of the 11-party alliance, were present at the press conference.
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