Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN) - The BNP-led 18-party alliance on Friday called a countrywide daylong general strike for Sunday protesting the latest fuel price hike last night.
BNP spokesperson Tariqul Islam announced the strike, generally known as hartal, at a press conference at the BNP central office in the city’s Naya Paltan in the morning.
Mr, Tariqul, also a BNP standing committee member, told reporters that the hartal has been called in the interest of people.
“We will observe hartal peacefully. The government will have to bear all responsibilities if it obstructs our peaceful program and creates anarchy,” he noted.
Earlier on December 26 last year, speaking at a mass contact programme BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia said they will enforce hartal if the government hikes fuel prices.
The government on Thursday raised the petroleum prices with effect from zero hours on Friday, the second time after December 30, 2011.
The prices of diesel and kerosene have been raised by BDT 7.0 per litre while those of octane and petrol by BDT 5.0 per litre, according to an official statement.
Now diesel and kerosene will be selling at BDT 68 per litre while octane and petrol at BDT 99 and BDT 96 per litre respectively. The petroleum prices were last raised in November 2011.
The Awami League government has increased fuel prices for five times during its present tenure.
BBN/SSR/SI-04Jan13-1:58 pm (BST)
