BNP on Friday protested the latest hike in fuel prices, saying the government raised it to inflict suffering on the country’s people.

“Sheikh Hasina government has left no respite for people's survival. The prices of water, diesel, gas, petrol and octane have been increased. She has increased the price of fuel so that the people suffer,” said party senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.

Bangladesh Nagorik Odhikar Andolan arranged the programme in front of the Jatiya Press Club in protest against the 10 percent increase in the price of water announced by WASA earlier in the week,

Speaking at a protest rally, he also said people are a pilot project for the government. “They think that by sucking the blood of the people, they can make this project an example for all the dictators of the world.”

The BNP leader strongly condemned and protested the unjustified increase in the prices of different utility services, including water and fuel oil.

The Bangladesh Civil Rights Movement organized the programme in protest against the unjustified increase in the price of water, electricity and gas and the destruction of Tarique Rahman's 'mural' in Bogura.

Rizvi said the government is trying to deprive people of water, of which another name is life.

The BNP leader slammed Dhaka Wasa MD Taqsem A Khan, saying he is so powerful that he manages the office from abroad.

“His tenure was repeatedly extended despite various corruption allegations, it manifests why the head of government appoints such persons. They serve the purposes of the government and implement its evil intentions. That’s why they have increased the price of water,” he said.

The BNP leader said the government had promoted Benazir Ahmed to the post of Inspector General of Police for suppressing and oppressing BNP leaders and activists.

He also the government overlooked the misdeeds of Benazir and former army chief Aziz Ahmed as they devotedly worked for keeping it in power illegally.

Stating that this government is syndicate-and mafia-friendly, Rizvi said it has to take responsibility for its misdeeds.

“One day they will all be tried in the people's court. People will judge their misdeeds.”