DHAKA: The main opposition BNP Saturday kicked off mass-contact campaigns to drum up their scheduled August 9 mass march, with central leaders lading agitprop groups at 26 points of the capital.
Under the warm-up move, leaders and activists are carrying out mass contact, small processions and leaflet distribution in the city trying to make a “success” the movement by the mainstream opposition against the Awami League-led Grand Alliance government.
BNP is set to start demonstrations led by party chairperson Khaleda Zia on August 9 at 4pm at Muktangan in the capital in protest against government’s “misrule” and “repression” on opposition leaders and journalists.
Led by party standing committee member Nazrul Islam Khan, BNP activists moved round different city points, including Pres Club, High Court and Segunbagicha areas, in the morning, calling upon people to observe the programme against what they called government’s ‘repressive’ policy.
“The people will reply if the mass march is obstructed,” the party spokesman, Khan, told his audience in the Press Club area.
Of the BNP leaders heading the campaign teams, MK Anwar carried out the mass contact and distributed leaflets in Science Laboratory, New Market and Central Road areas, Dr. Khondaker Mossarraf Hossain in Kakrail, Bijoynagar and Shantinagar areas, Lt General (Rtd) Mahbubur Rahman in MahaKhali and Cantonment areas, Barrister Zamir Uddin Sircar in Joykalimandir area, Barrister Rafiqul Islam Mian in Mirpur, Sheorapara and Kazipara areas and mayor Sadek Hossain Khoka in Naya Bazaar, English Road and Tantibazaar areas.
Besides, Abdullah Al Noman moved round Azimpur, Plassey and Neelkhet areas, Miza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir at Motijheel Shapla Chattar, M Hamidullah Khan at Rokeya Sarani, Shamsuzzaman Dudu in Gulistan-Fulbaria area, Abdul Awal Mintu and Professor Abdul Mannan in Karwan Bazaar and Tejgaon Sath Rasta area, Habibunabi Sohel in Fakirerpul, Arambag and Motijheel areas.
BNP’s grand march was announced on July 27 at BNP’s Naya Paltan office as part of their anti-government movement.
Their demos are also to protest “terrorism, tender-manipulation, grabbing and admission trade” allegedly by Chhatra League activists, price hike before Ramadan, preventing hunger strike, Prime Minister’s comment against Khaleda Zia, and the filing of ‘false cases’ against the party leaders.
The upcoming mass-procession programme is also to press for the release of opposition leaders and activists.
BDST 1536 HRS AUGUST 7, 2010
