BNP marches from Gabtoli to Mirpur

Leaders and activists of BNP's Dhaka north city unit marched towards  the capital's Mirpur from Gabtoli yesterday, to press home their  10-point demand, including holding the next general election under a  non-party caretaker government.

BNP standing committee member  Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain formally inaugurated the programme at  Gabtoli's SA Khaleque Paribahan Maidan around 3:20pm.

This was the  third such programme of BNP, as the party's Dhaka north city unit  marched from Badda to Malibagh on Saturday and the Dhaka south city unit  marched from Jatrabari to Jurain on Monday.

In a brief address  prior to launching the march, Mosharraf said whenever BNP announces any  programme, the "usurper" government tries to mislead people by talking  about violence. "But BNP has held 10 rallies peacefully, braving various  obstacles. We also held many other programmes peacefully. The fact is  that the government gets scared of losing power whenever BNP comes up  with any programme."

Another BNP standing committee member, Nazrul  Islam Khan, said people are going through a very tough time due to  unusual price hikes for all essential items.

He said the government is also raising the prices of utility services as it has "taken a stance against the country's people".

Thousands  of leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies joined the  programme, carrying banners, national and party flags, festoons and  portraits of the party's top leaders.

A huge number of law enforcers were deployed in the area to maintain law and order.

Earlier on Thursday, BNP announced the four-day march programme in the capital for January 28, 30, 31 and February 1.

The programme will conclude with Dhaka south city unit's march from Mugda to Malibagh today.