The long march led by BNP’s Jubo Dal, Swechhasebak Dal, and Chhatra Dal reached Akhaura land port in Brahmanbaria on Wednesday afternoon. The marchers arrived at the land port field around 4pm.
The three BNP-affiliated organizations initiated the long march to protest against the recent attack on Bangladesh’s Assistant High Commission in Agartala, India, as well as to condemn alleged disrespect toward the national flag and conspiracies against the country.
To maintain law and order, authorities have implemented a three-tier security system around the land port area. Village police, district police, and members of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have been deployed.
BGB’s 60th Battalion Commanding Officer Lt Col AM Jaber bin Jabbar said: “A sufficient number of BGB personnel have been deployed at Akhaura land port. Additionally, a reserve force is on standby.”
Barricades set up by law enforcement approximately 100–150 yards from the land port’s main gate restricted vehicular access. Passengers using the Akhaura International Immigration Police check post were required to walk to their destination.
According to sources, 28 Bangladeshi and 24 Indian passengers travelled through the immigration checkpoint by 4pm. Passenger traffic was reportedly lower than usual. Leaders and activists from various districts, including Brahmanbaria, Comilla, Feni, Noakhali, and Sylhet, joined the program carrying festoons and national and party flags. Vehicles of attendees were parked half a kilometre away from the land port grounds under the coordination of District Jubo Dal President Shamim Mollah.
Before the long march began, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi addressed a rally in front of the BNP central office in Naya Paltan. He said,We fought for our freedom with blood. Will we now surrender it? The people of Bangladesh will not bow to Delhi’s dominance.
He added,India does not want neighbouring countries like Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Maldives, and Sri Lanka to exercise their independence. But the people of Bangladesh will protect their sovereignty and resist any aggression. The long march passed through Bhairab in Kishoreganj, where a road meeting was held at the Dhaka-Sylhet highway bus stand around 1:30pm.
Jubo Dal President Abdul Monayem said,BNP stands united for the country and its people. We will safeguard Bangladesh’s independence and sovereignty without compromise. Together, we will resist any external aggression.
The program began earlier on Wednesday morning in front of the BNP central office in Naya Paltan, with party members gathering from 7am to commence the long march at 8am.
