National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener and Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam has demanded the resignation of the home minister and the energy minister, holding them responsible for extortion, rising commodity prices and the deteriorating law and order situation.

He made the demand on Friday afternoon, October 23, during a weeklong leaflet distribution campaign organised ahead of the NCP’s planned mass protest.

Nahid Islam said, “Karwan Bazar is one of the areas most affected by extortion. That is why we are launching our public outreach campaign from here. This leaflet distribution campaign is a protest against the deterioration of law and order, rising fuel and commodity prices, and the politicisation of state institutions.”

He said extortion and criminal syndicates across the country must be collectively resisted. The mass protest campaign will be conducted nationwide, while the public outreach programme in Dhaka will continue under the leadership of Nasir and Asif.

Alleging that there is no press freedom in the country, the NCP convener said journalists were being openly encouraged to attack others. He claimed that a total of 22 people had been arrested for criticising the government.

He further alleged that the Digital Security Act was being used under the name of the Cyber Security Act to carry out repression.

Accusing the government of lacking a clear plan, Nahid Islam said the BNP government had claimed during the budget session that the prices of goods would not increase. However, the prices of octane and diesel had been raised three times, he added.