AL 'long march' ends in polls campaign

The long-marchers started from Noakhali and crossed more than 200 kilometers to reach Khagrachhari town. From the outskirts of the town they walked about three kilometres waving banners, festoons and placards and reached the Muktamanchha, erected in the town for a rally.

The five-day march till August 25 seeks to mobilise people to join opposition's agitation to force the BNP-Jamaat alliance government to accept the proposed reforms.

Thousands of people from Heyako, Ramgarh, Guimara, Manikchhari, Matiranga, Panchhari, Mohalchhari, Dighinala, and other areas joined the march, turning it into a human sea.

They also chanted slogans in favor of a number of prospective opposition candidates in the next election.

After overnight stay in Khagrachhari, the marches will proceed towards Rangamati today. No untoward incident took place during yesterday's march.

Opposition leaders and activists, joined by people lined up on both sides of the road to welcome the marchers.

Police, Army and intelligence agencies were deployed along the 'long march' route.

Senior opposition leaders including Chittagong city Mayo ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury addressed the rally at Khagrachhati town at a number of places on way.

They reiterated the demand for immediate resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and two other election commissioners, and reforms to the caretaker system and said there will be no election without reforms.

They also reiterated that the opposition will not accept a voter list prepared under the present CEC. A new CEC has to be appointed on the basis of a consensus.

The big rally at Khagrachhari hill ton was also addressed by, among others, Mohammad Zahidul Alam, Zatindra Lal Tripura and Samir Datta Chakma and district AL president Zatindra Lal Tripura.