Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman today said that despite Naogaon’s major contribution to the country’s total food production, the district has long remained deprived of the development it deserves.
“A government to be formed through the people’s votes will ensure Naogaon’s overall development, including modern roads, quality healthcare and fair prices for farmers,” he told an election rally organised by Naogaon district Jamaat at the A. Tim ground in the town this afternoon.
Highlighting Naogaon’s importance as an agriculture-based district, Dr Shafiqur Rahman said that although a significant portion of the country’s food grains is supplied from the district, expected development has not taken place there. “Although Naogaon contributes greatly to national food production, its desired development has not taken place,” he said.
He stressed the need to upgrade the city’s main roads to four lanes and establish quality hospitals to meet public healthcare demands.
Referring to the problems faced by farmers, the Jamaat Ameer said that cultivators and farm owners are often forced to sell their produce hastily due to a lack of preservation facilities, depriving them of fair prices.
“Farmers and farm owners are forced to sell their produce hurriedly due to a lack of preservation facilities, and as a result, they do not get fair prices,” he said.
To address the issue, he outlined plans to establish rice and fruit research institutes, multiple storage facilities, and develop the entire northern region as an agricultural industrial hub.
Speaking on the tourism sector, Dr Shafiqur Rahman said that although Naogaon has many potential tourist attractions, neglect and corruption have hindered their development. “This sector will be prioritised in the future,” he said.
Commenting on money laundering and corruption, the Jamaat chief said public money had been looted and siphoned off abroad for years, adding that no new corruption would be tolerated if Jamaat comes to power.
He further claimed that a cyber campaign was being carried out against him after his old X (formerly Twitter) account was hacked in recent days. “Those who want to keep the country subjugated are resorting to such tactics,” he said, adding that Jamaat’s cyber team had already identified the issue and that those involved had been detained.
Addressing unemployment, Dr Shafiqur Rahman said that young people who took part in the mass uprising never demanded allowances. Instead, arrangements would be made to create employment opportunities by developing their skills.
On women’s safety, he said steps would be taken to ensure that women can move freely in a safe and dignified environment. He also reaffirmed that people of all religions would live peacefully in Bangladesh without any discrimination.
Later, Dr Shafiqur Rahman handed over election symbols to the candidates.
Chaired by Naogaon district Jamaat Ameer and Naogaon-4 constituency candidate K M Abdur Rakib, the rally was also addressed by Barrister Shahriar Kabir, AB Party District Convener Advocate Atikur Rahman, Naogaon-1 candidate Professor Mahbubul Alam, Naogaon-2 candidate Engineer Md Enamul Haque, Naogaon-3 candidate Md Mahfuzur Rahman, Naogaon-5 candidate Abu Sadat Md Sayem and Naogaon-6 candidate Md Khabirul Islam.
District Jamaat Nayeb-e-Ameer Assistant Professor Mohiuddin, former central secretary of Islami Chhatra Shibir ASM Mamun Shahin, Maulana Mufti Israfil Alam, district Chhatra Shibir president Abdur Rakib, and family members of martyrs and injured persons of the July mass uprising, including the mother of martyr Fahmin, Kazi Nulun Makhmin, were also present on the ocassion.
