Police today foiled a march to energy ministry, protesting the gas price hike, using tear gas canisters and water cannons near Jatiya Press Club in Dhaka.

The march was organised by Gonotantrik Bam Morcha (democratic left alliance), an alliance of left-leaning political parties.

Police obstructed the march and dispersed it with water cannons and tear gas, said Abul Hasan, officer-in-charge of Shahbagh Police Station. “The activists hurled brickbats”.

Bangladesh government’s latest gas price hike, in two phases – in March and June – by 22 percent, drew widespread flak. The left parties have been demonstrating for some time in protest. Photo: Amran Hossain

“At least 50 of our activists sustained injuries,” Saifuzzaman Sakon, a member of the executive body of Socialist Party of Bangladesh (Marxist), told The Daily Star.

Bangladesh government’s latest gas price hike, in two phases – in March and June – by 22 percent, drew widespread flak. The left parties have been demonstrating for some time in protest.

As per the new hike, households using double burners have to pay Tk 800 each from next month compared to Tk 650 now, while those using single burners have to pay Tk 750 each against Tk 600. The prices would be increased again on June 1 by another Tk 150 for each gas stove.