Jamaat-e-Islami Amir and opposition leader Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has called for Cumilla and Noakhali to be made separate divisions. “We are telling the government clearly: stop stalling on Cumilla division. Implement Cumilla division. The people of neighboring Noakhali, greater Noakhali, also want a division. They too deserve one. Give it to them as well. But since Cumilla’s demand has been pending since 1994, implement Cumilla division first,” he said.
He made the remarks as chief guest at a roadside rally at Poduar Bazar on the Bishwa Road in Cumilla on Saturday (Sept. 5).
Noting that Khondaker Moshtaq Ahmed’s ancestral home is in Cumilla, the opposition leader said, “Because of this grudge, a division is not being named after Cumilla, and there has been stalling over this before. We want to say clearly: if excessive fuss is made over any district’s name, it amounts to insulting that district and every person living there.”
Shafiqur Rahman said, “The current government has also said Cumilla division will be granted. So why isn’t it being given? Implement it quickly. Take all necessary steps to begin the division’s administrative operations swiftly.”
On the issue of opening an airport in Cumilla, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said, “The matter of an airport here also needs to be looked at. There is an EPZ here, and there is also an airport. If a feasibility study on that airport shows it is favorable on all counts, it too should be opened for the public. But give us the division first. Fulfill the demand for the division first.”
He added, “Right now, people from Cumilla have to travel to Chattogram for administrative work. If a division is established here, their administrative work will be handled right here.”
On the long march, the Jamaat Amir said, “Today’s program marks the beginning of the journey. Our long march will go to every divisional city, God willing. After that, there will be a mass rally in Dhaka. Will that mass rally be just for eating chira-muri (flattened and puffed rice, a humble rally snack), or to secure our demands? People of Cumilla, you will go. If needed, go with chira-muri in hand. You will secure the demands and return home, God willing. Get ready. We are hopeful, God willing, that the people will be victorious.”
Addressing the law-and-order situation, the opposition leader said, “What is the home minister doing? He has taken on responsibility for every ministry in parliament, but there is no news of his own ministry.”
Jamaat-e-Islami, along with an 11-party alliance, is holding a long march from Dhaka to Chattogram over a six-point demand that includes trials for the July massacre, implementation of the referendum verdict, and resolving the gas, electricity and fertilizer shortages. The long march began around 8:15 a.m. today from Shapla Chattar in the capital’s Motijheel and will conclude with a rally at Chattogram’s Laldighi Maidan.