Police obstruct protest march to ministry

Police yesterday barred the leaders and activists of the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), and Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal (BSD) from laying siege to the power, energy and mineral resources ministry to protest the government's decision to hike gas and power tariff.  

While the leaders and activists were going towards the ministry, the law enforcers blocked their way near gate no-5 of Bangladesh Secretariat in the capital.

The protesters, numbering around 150, then sat on the road there and held a protest rally.

They criticised the government for its decision to hike gas and power tariff and urged it to reduce the existing price.   

Speakers said the companies generating power and distributing gas are already making profit.

Ruhin Hossain Prince, presidium member of the Communist Party of Bangladesh, said, "With the price hike money will pour into the companies from pockets of the common people."

The parties threatened to go for tougher programmes if the government does not meet their demand within eight days.

Khalequzzaman, general secretary of BSD, said increase of the price of power and gas is illogical and it is a move against the people.

"History shows that no one retained power for long by going against the people," he said, and suggested the government learn from the past.

Syed Abu Jafar Ahmed, general secretary of CPB, said if their demand was not met, they would observe a sit-in on September 8.

Retail customers will have to spend,  on average, 2.93 percent more on electricity and Tk 200 more on gas stoves from September 1. Industries that use gas to produce electricity through generators will see gas tariff double -- Tk 8.36 from Tk 4.18 per cubic metre.