Energy crisis: 11-Party Alliance stages demo, launches 3-month nationwide protest
The programmes include marches to Chattogram on 5 September, Rangpur on 19 September, and Khulna, Jashore and Kushtia on 10 October. The coalition will also hold a grand rally in Dhaka on 14 November.
Highlights;
- 11-Party Alliance launched nationwide protests over worsening energy crisis
- Police stopped alliance march outside the Secretariat in Dhaka
- Three-month protest programme announced, ending with November grand rally
- Alliance demanded uninterrupted gas, electricity, and withdrawal of LPG price hike
- Ten-point charter sought energy reforms and anti-corruption measures
- Chattogram leaders submitted memorandum over gas, power and living costs
The 11-Party Alliance today (6 August) launched a nationwide protest campaign over the country's worsening gas and electricity crisis, announcing a series of programmes through November and submitting a memorandum to the prime minister in Chattogram demanding immediate government intervention.
In Dhaka, alliance leaders and activists staged a sit-in at Zero Point in Paltan before marching towards the Secretariat. Police stopped the procession near Gate No. 1.
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Addressing the rally, Opposition Leader and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman announced a three-month protest programme.
The programme includes a long march from Dhaka to Chattogram on 5 September, another from Dhaka to Rangpur on 19 September, and a Dhaka-Khulna-Jashore-Kushtia-Dhaka march on 10 October.
The alliance will also organise a rail journey to Sylhet on 24 October before concluding the campaign with a grand rally in Dhaka on 14 November.
Shafiqur alleged that the government had created an artificial gas crisis to justify higher prices. He demanded uninterrupted gas and electricity supply, withdrawal of the recent LPG price hike and an end to what he described as "ghost" electricity bills.
After waiting for around 15 minutes outside the Secretariat for a government representative, the alliance ended its programme without submitting its demands.
The alliance's 10-point charter also demands suspension of gas bill collection in areas without gas supply, increased domestic gas production, an investigation into the Moheshkhali LNG terminal failure, measures to curb gas theft and system losses, uninterrupted energy supply to industries, and action against corruption and mismanagement in the energy sector.
Memorandum submitted in Chattogram
In Chattogram, leaders and activists of the alliance held a rally at Laldighi before marching to the Deputy Commissioner's Office, where they submitted a memorandum addressed to the prime minister through the district administration.
The memorandum called for immediate measures to resolve the gas crisis, end prolonged load-shedding, withdraw increased electricity tariffs and "ghost bills", and rein in the prices of essential commodities.
Senior Assistant Commissioner (Land Acquisition) and Executive Magistrate Md Anisur Rahman Khan received the memorandum on behalf of the Chattogram deputy commissioner.
Speaking at the rally, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Central Working Committee member and Chattogram city Ameer Muhammad Nazrul Islam said prolonged gas shortages had severely affected households, businesses and industries in Chattogram and other parts of the country.
He also alleged that many consumers were receiving inflated electricity bills that did not reflect actual usage and demanded an investigation into the allegations and action against those responsible.
The alliance also urged the government to investigate possible market manipulation behind rising prices of essential commodities and publish the official gazette recognising those killed during the July Uprising, while ensuring state support for their families.
