Police block 11-party alliance as they march to Secretariat over fuel and price hike issues

In a Nutshell:

• The 11 party alliance held a protest at Muktangan over fuel and gas shortages, alleged excessive electricity bills, rising prices and worsening law and order.
• The protest came days after the Electricity Division issued and later revised a statement on high electricity bills, removing a warning of legal action over alleged “false information” and asking consumers to submit complaints through official channels.
• The programme began after 11am despite rain, with opposition leader and Jamaat e Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman, LDP President Col (retd) Oli Ahmed and other alliance leaders present.
• The alliance marched towards the Secretariat around 12:40pm to hold a blockade programme but police stopped the procession before it reached the area.
• The alliance said its ongoing movement demands household gas supply, reliable electricity, lower fuel and energy prices and relief from rising living costs.
• Dr Shafiqur Rahman ended the programme around 1:30pm and announced planned long marches from Dhaka to Chattogram on September 5, Rangpur on September 19, Khulna on October 10 and Sylhet on October 24.