Hundreds of activists of different leftist parties around the country have taken to the streets protesting the sudden 60% hike on the bus fare, which is twice as much as the normal fare.
People from different leftist parties in Brahmanbaria, Jessore, and Dinajpur districts formed human chains and staged demonstrations in front of their respective press clubs and demanded prompt upheaval of the newly implemented bus fare scheme on Tuesday afternoon.
In Brahmanbaria, Comrade Sajidul Islam, general secretary of Bangladesh Communist Party district unit, who organised a human chain in front of the press club, said: “The hike in the bus fare is a clear slap on underprivileged people’s face, as they passed the last three months at their homes, unemployed and hungry.”
“If the government cares about the transport sector they can implement subsidies, but they cannot expect the poor citizens to pay more than they earn,” said another protester Md Mintu Miah, a member of a local labourers’ union.
Meanwhile, in Jessore, an eight-hour-long human chain was staged in front of the press club from 12pm Tuesday demanding prompt action regarding the unscrupulous increase in bus fare.
The protesters--mostly activists from several communist parties of the district-- stated they will not leave the streets until their demands are being met.
“When the whole world is enjoying the low prices of fuel oil to run vehicles, our citizens are asked to pay twice as much to pay for their journey which is totally unacceptable,” said Jillur Rahman Vitu, of Bangladesh Workers’ Party.
In Dinajpur, protesters of the district claimed that when governments of other countries are taking incentives to aid their citizens, poor people of Bangladesh are being asked to pay double to reach their workplaces and homes, which is illogical.
Several activists and political figures of the district spoke at the hour-long demonstration staged in front of the press club on Tuesday.
Musharraf Hossain Nannu, general secretary of United Communist League, Anowar Ali, coordinator of Ganatantrik Bam Jot, etc were present among others at the protest.
