The leaders and activists of the 1990 student movement, one of the driving forces of the protests that led to the fall of then-president Hussain Muhammad Ershad, have expressed deep concern following the announcement of increases in the prices of electricity and gas.
In a joint statement issued on Tuesday, they said: “Numerous crises in production, distribution and trade have occurred in our nation as well as other nations over the past three years as a result of the Covid pandemic. On the other hand, the impact of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia has led to the world's economic downturn, as well as a food and water crisis.
“Although the administration has made a number of pledges to end the ongoing discontent in society, we are observing that as a result of irregularities and money laundering in several sectors, including banking, the position of the nation's citizens and families is continuously deteriorating.”
“In addition to the gradual increase in electricity prices, the government has announced price increases for both electricity and gas in the last 19 days in the industries and trade sectors while once again disobeying the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission.”
They mentioned that the announcement of the increases in the prices of gas and electricity will have disastrous effects on public life. “Employment will decline along with a rise in the cost of basic needs. The communication system will be negatively affected more severely, which will exacerbate the political and social unrest already present.”
The leaders demanded that the government immediately retract the hike announcement.
In addition, all parties involved must refrain from raising electricity costs across the board in an effort to calm the public and restore price stability, they said.
The statement was signed by Nazmul Haque Pradhan, Mostafa Farooq, Nur Ahmed Bakul, Shafi Ahmed, Bazlur Rashid Firoz, Akhtar Sobhan Mashroor, Aminul Islam, Mansurul Hai Sohan, Sujauddin Zafar, Belal Chowdhury, Dr Sardar Farooq, Mukhleshuddin Shaheen, Sirajum Munir, Rezaul Karim Shilpi, Raju Ahmed, Saleh Ahmed, Harun Mahmud, Zayed Iqbal Khan, Kamal Hossain Badal, Badrul Alam, Akramul Haque and others.
