The 11-party alliance has announced a nationwide sit-in programme for Thursday, to protest against the hike in gas and electricity prices, the soaring costs of essential commodities, and the deteriorating law and order situation in the country.
The decision was reached during a top-level meeting of the alliance held at 7:30pm on Monday at the official residence of the opposition leader on Minto Road in the capital. Shafiqur Rahman, leader of the opposition and Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami, presided over the meeting.
According to the announcement, the sit-in will be observed in front of electricity and gas offices in all metropolitan cities and district towns across the country. In Dhaka, the programme will commence at 11am at Muktangon, followed by the submission of a memorandum to the Secretariat.
The meeting was attended by prominent leaders, including Nahid Islam MP, convener of the National Citizen Party; Dr Colonel (Retd) Oli Ahmad Bir Bikrom, president of the Liberal Democratic Party; Allama Mamunul Huq, Ameer of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish; and Maulana Abdul Kaiyum Subhani, Acting Ameer of Bangladesh Nezame Islam Party.
Other attendees included Mia Golam Porwar, secretary general of Jamaat-e-Islami; Dr Hamidur Rahman Azad, assistant secretary general; Mojibur Rahman Manju, chairman of AB Party; Dr Mustafizur Rahman Iran, chairman of Bangladesh Labour Party; Engineer Rashed Prodhan, vice president and spokesperson of JAGPA; Akhtar Hossain MP, member secretary of NCP; and Nasiruddin Patwary, chief coordinator.
During the discussions, leaders expressed deep concern over what they termed skyrocketing prices of daily essentials, the gas crisis, “ghost bills” for electricity, and the extreme decline in law and order nationwide.
They stated that the sufferings of the public are increasing daily and that effective government initiatives are essential to maintain the normal lives of ordinary citizens.
The alliance further noted that a mass rally is scheduled for 5 August at the south gate of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque.
In addition to the current grievances, the rally will serve as a platform to announce subsequent political programmes regarding the implementation of the July National Charter and the verdict of the referendum.
The leaders of the 11-party alliance have demanded the withdrawal of gas and electricity price hikes, an end to consumer harassment, the correction of abnormal electricity bills, and the cancellation of all decisions against public interest.
They also urged the government to take effective steps to control the prices of essential goods and improve the law-and-order situation.
