BNP affiliates‍‍` long march reaches Akhaura

The long march called by three BNP-affiliated organisations — Jubo Dal, Swechchasebak Dal, and Chhatra Dal — in protest against what they called "Indian aggression", has reached Akhaura. 

Thousands of leaders and activists joined the daylong march that started from the party‍‍`s Nayapaltan central office at 9:00am. 

The long march was inaugurated by BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.

The organisations‍‍` leaders and activists started gathering at Nayapaltan to join the road march, wearing coulourful caps, carrying placards and posters since 7:00am today. 

The three organisations held a short rally before starting the road march.

The long march reached Akhaura via Narayanganj and Narsingdi.

On the way, the march held a roadside rally at Bhairab intersection where leaders from the three organisations addressed the participants. 

The march was organised in protest of the attack on the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala, desecration of the national flag in Kolkata, and an alleged conspiracy to incite communal unrest.

Leaders from the three organisations are also scheduled to address a rally in Akhaura land port area.

Brahmanbaria District Jubo Dal President Shamim Mollah said that 30,000 to 40,000 people are expected to gather in the rally. Preparations have already been completed locally to implement the programme.

"We want to send a message of friendship, not dominance, from the Long March," he said.

Meanwhile, Brahmanbaria district police super Jabedur Rahman, BGB-60 battalion captain Lt. Colonel A M Jaber Bin Jabbar held a discussion with BNP leaders on the occasion of the long march, reports our Brahmanbaria correspondent.

Brahmanbaria Superintendent of Police Mohammad Jabedur Rahman said that 200 police personnel were deployed around 350 yards from the Bangladesh-India border.

He said, vigilance has been increased to ensure that the law and order situation does not deteriorate in any way.

In addition, BGB-60 Captain Lt Col Jabbar said that a large number of BGB members have been deployed in the area of Akhaura land port and immigration check post due to the BNP‍‍`s long March programme. BGB members are on alert to avoid any kind of chaos at the border.