A half-day shutdown observed by leftist parties protesting the latest gas price hike has ended with the announcement of a march to the power, energy and mineral resources ministry for Jul 14.
“The power ministry will be besieged on Jul 14 demanding the withdrawal of gas price hike,” announced Mosarrof Hossain Nannu, coordinator of Left Democratic Alliance (LDA), calling it a day around 2am on Sunday (Jul 7).
If the government doesn’t revoke the revised gas price they will call for protest rally in Dhaka on Jul 19,” said Nannu.
The LDA observed an 8-hour strike, beginning on 6am on Sunday protesting the government’s move on gas prices hike for the retail consumers.
On spot visits, activists of the leftist alliance were seen bringing out processions at the capital’s different places including Dhaka University, Shahbagh, Chandrarpul, Bakshibazar, Lalbagh, Mohammadpur, Mirpur, and Kakrail area in the morning.
They also kept the key Shahbagh and Purana Paltan intersections blocked for several hours causing traffic jam in the areas.
Two vehicles were vandalized in Naya Paltan area. Police also detained two picketers, who were released later.
The left alliance announced the strike on Jul 1, a day after the prices were raised.
On Jun 30 last, the government raised the gas prices by 32.8 percent on average for the retail consumers in the country with effect from Jul 1.

Different political and other organizations – BNP, Gono Forum, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, Nagorik Oikya, Bangladesh National Awami Party (NAP), Bangladesh Khilafat Majlish, National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Power and Ports, Ganasamhati Andolon, and Communist Party of Bangladesh thrown their weight behind the shutdown.
At around 12pm, the protesters gathered in the Paltan intersection and held a protest rally.

Speaking at the rally, Bangladesher Samajtanrik Dal General Secretary Khaliquzzaman called the government to give in.
“We won’t leave the streets until people’s demand are met,” he said.
Citing people extended support to Sunday’s shutdown, chief coordinator of Ganosamhati Andolon Zonayed Saki called the political parties to take to streets to press their demands.
“We have to be united to wage movement against the injustices of the government,” he said.

PHOTO: Sazzad Hossain