Bangladesh opposition marches over energy shortages

Thousands of opposition supporters began a long march across Bangladesh on Saturday to protest shortages of cooking gas, electricity and fertiliser, increasing pressure on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s government.

Crowds gathered at a public square in Dhaka before setting off on the first leg of a march toward the port city of Chittagong. Rallies were planned along the route.

Opposition leader Shafiqur Rahman told supporters the movement was aimed at securing cooking gas and electricity for households.

The action was the first major street mobilisation against Rahman’s government, which came to power six months ago in the country of 170 million people.

The rally followed the arrest on Friday of a college student accused of insulting senior government officials while expressing frustration over high electricity bills. Critics said the arrest reflected growing intolerance of dissent.

Akhter Hossen of the opposition National Citizen Party told the crowd that the government had failed to supply gas, electricity and fertiliser and was not allowing people to speak out.