The Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party alliance plans to begin a major street campaign on September 5 with a Dhaka-to-Chattogram long march, citing constitutional reform, implementation of the July Charter and referendum verdict, and public-interest concerns. The alliance says this will be its first and largest programme as an opposition force during the current government’s six-and-a-half months in office. It plans further marches in three divisions before holding a mass rally in Dhaka in December or January.

Alliance leaders say they turned to street programmes after receiving no response to reform demands raised in parliament and through meetings, rallies, statements and speeches over nearly five months. Their six listed demands include implementing the referendum verdict, trying the July killings, addressing electricity, fuel, gas and fertiliser shortages, curbing price rises, improving law and order, and ending partisanisation of the administration.

Organisers said the September 5 march will start after a 7am gathering at Shapla Chattar in Dhaka and end at Chattogram’s Laldighi ground at 9pm, with meetings planned along the route. They said they met the inspector general of police about necessary cooperation and will keep one side of the divided highway open for public travel.