Fuel Price Hikes Fuel Public Anger Against Government: Islamic Party Leaders
Expressing deep concern over the severe deterioration of law and order in the country, leaders of several Islamic parties have strongly urged the government to reduce the prices of petrol, kerosene and other fuels and ensure the safety and security of people and their property.
In separate statements on Tuesday (September 22), the leaders strongly urged the government to immediately reduce the prices of petrol, kerosene and other fuels and take effective and strict measures to curb teenage gangs and stop theft, robbery and extortion.
Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan
Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan Ameer Maulana Habibullah Miazi expressed deep concern over the severe deterioration of law and order in the country and strongly urged the government to reduce the prices of petrol, kerosene and other fuels and ensure public safety.
In a statement, he said repeated increases in the prices of petrol, kerosene and other fuels are creating public anger against the government, while the alarming rise in theft, mugging, robbery and extortion has put public safety at risk.
“It is difficult to understand why identified criminals, including muggers, are not being arrested despite law enforcement agencies having lists of them,” he said.
He said pedestrians are being targeted on roads, highways, lanes and alleys in Dhaka, Chattogram and other areas, both during the day and late at night, with mobile phones, wallets, women’s jewellery and other valuables being snatched.
He said ordinary pedestrians as well as police personnel are sustaining serious injuries in knife attacks by muggers.
“The people want to know who will ensure their safety in a country where even law enforcement personnel do not have security,” he said.
He further said that although some criminals are arrested and sent to court or jail, they are released on bail for unknown reasons and become involved in the same crimes again.
Khelafat Andolan Ameer Maulana Habibullah Miazi strongly urged the government to immediately reduce the prices of petrol, kerosene and other fuels and take effective and strict measures to curb teenage gangs and stop theft, mugging and extortion.
Batil Protirodh Parishad Bangladesh
Haji Jalal Uddin Bakul, president of Batil Protirodh Parishad Bangladesh and joint secretary-general of Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan, expressed deep concern and anger over the increase in fuel prices by Tk 20 per litre.
In a statement on Tuesday, Haji Jalal Uddin Bakul said that when the cost of living for ordinary people is rising uncontrollably, the decision to increase the prices of all types of fuel by Tk 20 per litre at once would make public suffering even more severe.
He said the increase in diesel prices would have the widest impact because diesel is widely used in the transport and agricultural sectors.
He said transport fares had been increased following the fuel price hike. If the cost of transporting goods rises, the burden will ultimately fall on consumers.
He also said the latest price increase would make life even more difficult for low- and middle-income people amid an already high-cost market.
He called on the government to withdraw the fuel price hike in the public interest and take steps to reduce people’s suffering.
