BNP plans long-term nationwide protest over fuel price hike

BNP has taken various programmes to continue the party’s protest against the increase in fuel prices, soaring prices of daily essentials and load shedding for a long time, reports UNB.

BNP standing committee, the highest policymaking body of the party, finalized the programmes at a virtual meeting on Tuesday, said a press release on Wednesday.

As part of the programmes, the party will hold a press conference on the power crisis on August 13.

The party will also hold another press conference on the rise in prices of daily essentials and inflation on August 17.

BNP will also arrange a seminar on the energy sector in the capital on August 19.

Besides, the party has decided to continue protest rallies and demonstrations in metropolitan cities and their all wards, districts and upazilas from August 22.

The meeting also decided to make its Thursday’s rally at Nayapaltan in the capital in protest against the fuel price hike a success.

Earlier on Monday, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced a two-day programme, including Thursday’s protest rally, against the latest hike in fuel prices, transport fares and soaring prices of all essential commodities.

The programmes are also meant for registering the party’s protest against the ongoing load shedding and the killing of two leaders of its associate bodies by police in Bhola.

Besides, the party’s all metropolitan city and district units will arrange protest rallies across the country on Friday.

In an abrupt move, the government increased the prices of diesel, octane and petrol by 42.5 per cent, 51.7 per cent and 51 per cent respectively on Friday night. Currently, diesel is being sold at Tk 114 per litre, octane at Tk 135 per litre and petrol at Tk 130 per litre.