BNP calls for 2-day rally

The BNP on Monday formed a human chain in Dhaka condemning the fuel price hike and announced to rally against the government move in all metropolitan cities except Dhaka on November 10 and at all district headquarters on November 12.

BNP’s protest comes four days after Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) increased diesel and kerosene prices by Tk 15 per litre. On Sunday, the authorities concerned raised bus fares by 27 per cent and launch fares by 35 per cent.

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, the party’s secretary general, announced the programmes at a human-chain organised by Dhaka South and North city units of BNP in front of the National Press Club protesting against the fuel price hike.

Fakhrul said the increased fuel cost would push up prices of all essentials, leaving the common people in a miserable condition.

He said the protest against the increase in fuel price now needs to spread across the country to save people from their suffering.

“We’ve to wake up the people. As long as the Awami League government is in power, public suffering will increase and people will become more helpless and poorer. So, we’ve to unite people to take to the streets and oust this regime,” he said.

Last week, the government raised diesel and kerosene prices at the retail level. The BPC said prices had been readjusted in line with the global market.