Protests in Bangladesh over gas and electricity crisis

Thousands of opposition supporters in Bangladesh protested over acute shortages of gas, electricity, and fertilizers, in a move that adds to the challenges facing Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government.

This marks the first major street mobilization against the government, which came to power six months ago in the South Asian country of 170 million people.

Protesters gathered in a public square in the capital, Dhaka, waving signs and chanting slogans against rising prices.

Opposition leader Sheikh Hasina told his supporters, “This movement aims to ensure the supply of cooking gas and the provision of electricity to every household.”

For his part, Akhtar Hossain of the opposition Citizens’ Party told the crowds, “You have failed to provide gas, electricity, and fertilizers, and you do not even allow people to raise their voices.” He added, “You will face serious consequences.”

The protests came a day after a university student was arrested on suspicion of insulting senior government officials while expressing anger over rising electricity bills, a step critics said reflected growing crackdowns on the opposition.