Dhaka-Khulna-Kushtia Long March Ends Peacefully: Jamaat Thanks the Nation, Mourns Pedestrian Killed by March Bus

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has expressed heartfelt congratulations and gratitude to the countrymen and all concerned for the peaceful success of the 11-party alliance's Dhaka-Khulna-Kushtia long march. Jamaat Secretary General and convener of the long march implementation committee, Mia Golam Parwar, conveyed the gratitude in a statement sent to the media on Sunday (November 1).

In the statement he said: 'I offer thanks to Almighty Allah for the cooperation of the countrymen in making the long march a peaceful success. At the same time, I extend heartfelt congratulations and gratitude to the countrymen and all concerned.'

Mia Golam Parwar said the long march was held to press demands including implementation of the referendum's verdict, trial of the July massacre, resolution of the electricity, oil, gas and fertiliser crises, curbing the rise in prices of daily essentials, improvement of the law-and-order situation, an end to narrow partisan practices, and an end to corruption, extortion and illegal occupation.

The statement also mentioned a tragic accident during the march. He said that on Saturday (October 31) at around 8 pm, a pedestrian was killed after being hit by a passenger bus of the long march on the road near Mirzapur Bazar in Kumira union under Patkelghata police station in Satkhira. He expressed deep shock at the incident, conveyed sympathy to the injured and wished them a speedy recovery.

He said the march saw an overwhelming turnout of more than a hundred thousand people from all walks of life, and the whole march resounded with spontaneous chants of 'Naraye Takbeer'. Hundreds of thousands of people — young and old, men and women — stood on both sides of the road braving the scorching sun to greet the march caravan.

Mia Golam Parwar said the participation of thousands of women activists and supporters in this long march was a notable feature in Bangladesh's political history. They endured indescribable hardship over a long period, stayed with the programme and showed patience, for which the organisation extended heartfelt congratulations to them. He also thanked the hundreds of thousands of people who joined from different parts of the country and who extended cooperation and solidarity along the route.

He also thanked the leaders, activists and supporters of the 11-party alliance at all levels, leaders of various districts and cities, local people, pedestrians, small traders and shopkeepers, vehicle drivers and owners, transport workers, members of the police and law-enforcement agencies, the civil administration, district administrations, the traffic department and road-related officials and employees.

The Jamaat leader further expressed gratitude to the journalists, camera persons and staff of print, electronic and online media who performed their duties in collecting and broadcasting news of the long march.

In the statement he said they were sincerely sorry for the temporary suffering caused to ordinary people by this long-distance programme, and expressed gratitude to those who showed patience and tolerance during the programme, which was organised to advance demands tied to the people's interests.

Mia Golam Parwar said the activities of the 11-party alliance will continue through peaceful, democratic and constitutional programmes to fulfil the people's just rights and aspirations.