Sylhet, Aug 31 (V7N) — A citizens' rally was held in Sylhet on Sunday demanding an end to attempts to raise gas prices, severe load-shedding, faulty prepaid electricity meters and various gas and power-related problems, as well as measures to control rising prices of essential commodities.

The rally, organised by the Gas-Electricity Consumers' Welfare Council, was held at 3pm at the historic Court Point in Sylhet city.

Advocate Sarwar Ahmed Chowdhury Abdal, central convener of the Gas-Electricity Consumers' Welfare Council and a former member of the Sylhet District Bar Association, presided over the rally. Central Member Secretary and political leader Maksud Hossain delivered the main speech.

The programme was jointly moderated by central members and human rights activist Syed Akram Al Sahan and anti-corruption organiser Shahidur Rahman Junnu.

Among others, Central Senior Joint Convener Iqbal Hossain Chowdhury, Central Adviser Nesarul Haque Chowdhury Bustan, Central leader Dr Arun Kumar Deb, Central leader Advocate Mamunur Rashid, Md Layek Mia, businessman and social worker Abdul Gafur, journalist Amirul Islam Chowdhury Ehia, Ismat Ibn Ishaq Sanjid, Mujibur Rahman Chowdhury, labour leader Mizan Gazi, Rikon Talukdar Likhon, Gulzar Ahmed, secretary of the Ambarkhana Bazar Business Association, journalist Shafikur Rahman, poet Kamal Ahmed and Saiful Alam, president of Human Service Charity, also spoke at the rally.

The programme began with a recitation from the Holy Quran by council central leader Rafiqul Islam Shitab.

In his presidential address, Advocate Sarwar Ahmed Chowdhury Abdal said severe electricity shortages and gas supply problems had forced 62 power plants to remain closed.

He claimed that 20 factories in Mymensingh had announced temporary closures, while production at 20–22 per cent of factories in Gazipur had been halted. He also said industrial production capacity in the Chattogram and Sylhet industrial areas had fallen by 25 per cent due to the energy crisis.

He said reduced gas pressure in household cooking and severe load-shedding were disrupting people's work, rest and students' studies, while also having a serious impact on the national economy.

"If the situation continues, the economy will face a major crisis," he said.

Abdal also criticised the rising prices of essential commodities, saying they were putting ordinary people under severe financial pressure. He further expressed concern over the country's law-and-order situation and public safety.

In his main speech, Maksud Hossain alleged that gas and electricity consumers were being subjected to financial pressure.

He said consumers were deeply frustrated by unusually high electricity bills and described prepaid electricity meters as a major burden for customers.

"We demand the immediate cancellation of these prepaid meters and the introduction of a prepaid metering system for electricity similar to the system used for gas," he said.

Maksud Hossain also criticised a proposal by Petrobangla to increase gas prices.

Warning of tougher action, he said, "If the price of gas is increased by even Tk 1, a strict programme will be announced from the sacred city of Sylhet."

The speakers also raised several local issues, including the investigation into the Tipul murder case being handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), difficulties faced by residents over water supply in Sylhet City Corporation and traffic congestion in the city.

They demanded that the water crisis in Sylhet City Corporation be resolved quickly and that footpaths be kept free of illegal occupation and hawkers to help ease traffic congestion.

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