Dhaka's Jurain, Shyampur residents protest prolonged gas, power shortages

Residents of Jurain and Shyampur in Dhaka demonstrated near Jurain rail gate this afternoon, protesting prolonged gas and electricity shortages.

Witnesses said nearly 50 people formed a human chain around 5:00pm and later brought out a torch procession. At the programme, they warned of a tougher movement if the crisis was not resolved.

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Speakers at the protest alleged that nearly 15-20 lakh people in the areas had been suffering from severe disruptions to gas and electricity supplies for a long time.

Speaking at the event, social activist Sagor Islam questioned the government's commitment to resolving the crisis, saying residents had yet to see any clear plan to address the shortages.

Sagor alleged that residents in parts of Dhaka, including Jurain and Shyampur, were facing prolonged periods of load-shedding.

He said residents in those areas were experiencing power cuts four to five times a day, often lasting 40 to 45 minutes each.

He also alleged that affluent neighbourhoods and areas where senior government officials live faced fewer disruptions.

He said Titas Gas officials had recently found water inside gas pipelines in parts of the area, which they said was affecting gas pressure.

Another Jurain resident, Mizanur Rahman, alleged that a large number of households in the broader Dhaka-4 constituency had been living without adequate gas supplies for days, weeks and, in some cases, years despite continuing to pay their bills.

“It makes us question whether the authorities really want to solve Bangladesh’s gas and power crisis, or continue down the same path,” he said.

Mizanur, who rose to prominence through a movement against WASA during the Awami League regime, called on residents to overcome fear and organise themselves to press for solutions.

“No crisis will be solved by going from office to office and pleading with people unless a significant number of residents take to the streets,” he said.

The protesters said they would continue organising residents and hold further programmes if the gas and electricity crises were not addressed.

The demonstration ended with a torch procession in the evening.