Long march held in Rangpur for city corporation
Rangpur City Corporation Bastabayon Parishad organises a long march in a 203 square kilometre area of the proposed Rangpur city corporation yesterday demanding immediate issuance of a gazette notification upgrading the municipality to a city corporation. Photo: STAR
Rangpur City Corporation Bastabayon Sangram Parishad organised a long march yesterday demanding immediate issuance of a gazette notification affecting formation of the city corporation. Convener of the Parishad, former lawmaker Awami League leader Sharfuddin Ahmed Jhontu led the long march that started from Rangpur Zila School ground at 11:00am and paraded different roads in 203 square kilometre area of the proposed Rangpur city corporation. At least 100 buses and microbuses, around 150 motorcycles and thousands of people from all classes of the district took part in the long march. “Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina took responsibility for the overall development of Rangpur at a grand meeting in Rangpur on January 8 last year. She also made a commitment to upgrade Rangpur town to a city corporation, but the pledge is yet to be fulfilled,” Jhontu said at a roadside meeting during the long march. He demanded issuing a gazette notification on formation of Rangpur city corporation before the upcoming budget and special allotment for development of Rangpur. He criticised AKM Abdur Rouf Manik, mayor of Rangpur municipality, and the secretary of local government ministry for 'intentional hanging' of the declaration of city corporation. They urged municipality Mayor AKM Abdur Rouf Manik and all the councillors to resign immediately or face being declared 'unwanted' in Rangpur. Ten roadside meetings were held during yesterday's programme. Among others, advocate Rafiqul Islam Mukul, central leader of JSD, Masud Naby Munna, vice chairman of Rangpur Sadar upazila, Nasima Zaman Boby, female vice chairman of Rangpur Sadar upazila, and Tanviruzzaman Tanvir spoke at the meetings. Earlier at a press conference at Rangpur Press Club on Wednesday, Sharfuddin Ahmed Jhontu declared the long march programme. Demanding issuance of gazette notification about Rangpur city corporation, Rangpur City Corporation Bastabayon Sangram Parishad has observed various programmes including symbolic hunger strike, 20-minute work stoppage, cordoning Rangpur municipality office and hanging a banner of Rangpur city corporation at its main gate, one-hour blockade on Rangpur-Dhaka highway and railway, mass signature campaign and public meetings in the town since May 17. They warned of launching a tougher agitation programme in the district if the government fails to upgrade Rangpur municipality to a city corporation immediately.
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