Staff Reporter :
The BNP-led 20-party on Sunday staged countrywide demonstration protesting the hike in gas and power price. As per the countrywide programme, it held protest rallies and brought out processions in several parts of the country.
This was the first political programme of the alliance after its three-month long nonstop hartal and blockade that began January 5.
Police obstructed the rallies and processions in Barisal, Pirojpur, Jhenaidah, Kurigram, Khagrachari and Noakhali and some other districts. The 20-party alliance alleged that police had arrested many leaders and workers from the processions. There are reports of injuries from different parts.
In Barisal, police obstructed a procession brought out from Nazirerpul area of Barisal city in the morning. Police charged baton on the leaders and workers that left five 20-party men injured. The law enforcers also arrested three workers of the alliance from the spot.
In Pirojpur, the district BNP brought out a procession from the party office in the morning. Police obstructed the procession when it reached Zila Parsihad Market. Later, a demonstration rally was held there.
In Jhenaidah, leaders and workers of the 20-party alliance gathered in front of the BNP office in the district town to bring out a procession. But police denied foiled their demonstration right and foiled procession.
In Khagrachari, there was no procession in the district town due to the police obstruction. Later, they held a brief rally in front of the district BNP office.
In Kurigram, two processions of the BNP-led alliance faced police obstruction in the district town. The leaders and workers of the alliance brought out a procession from in front of the BNP office in the morning. Police obstructed them at Ghoshpara in the town. Later, a rally was held there. The 20-party men also brought out a procession from in front of the Press Club. Police obstructed this procession also.
In Dhaka, the Jamaat-e-Islami brought out sudden processions in several parts of the city. BNP men brought out a procession at Motijheel. Police arrested a person from the procession. The 20-party alliance brought out processions at Khilgoan, Tejgaon and some other parts in the city.
The leaders and the workers of the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami brought out procession in Chittagong, Comilla, Sylhet, Mymensing, Feni and some other districts.
The 20-party alliance accused the government of compelling the people to shoulder the burden of thousands of crores of taka used in installing quick renal power plant. It demanded immediate withdrawal of the price hike calling it injustice, anti-people and illogical one.
