A group of local people and students intercepted a Dhaka-bound vehicle transporting gas for a refueling company at Bhola Bus Stand on Friday night, demanding that locally extracted gas be supplied to households and industries in the district rather than being sent to factories in Dhaka.
The protesters stopped the CNG-laden truck belonging to Intraco Refueling Company around 10:30pm near Bhola bus stand and blocked the road.
They also staged demonstrations to press home their five-point demand, which includes the establishment of gas-based industries in Bhola, household gas connections, and an end to gas being transported out of the district without meeting local needs.
The protesters chanted slogans such as “Bhola’s gas to be distributed in Bhola” and “gas supply in every household.”
Upon receiving information, police rushed to the spot, but the vehicle remained blocked and was not allowed to leave Bhola as of Saturday morning, said Wasib Alam, sub-inspector of Sadar Model police station.
Earlier in the day, members of the B-Dwip Student Welfare Council organized a human chain and rally in Bhola town, raising similar demands.
The protesters also threatened to launch a greater movement, including a long march to Dhaka or a blockade program, and vowed to prevent any gas from leaving Bhola if their demands are not met.
In May 2023, Intraco signed a deal with the state-owned Sundarban Gas Company to transport gas cylinders from Bhola to 18 factories in Dhaka.
Under the agreement, the company currently supplies around 5 million cubic feet of gas daily to these facilities.
