Awami l eague leaders yesterday said the government increased fuel, gas and electricity prices with a design to destroy country’s economy and urged (he people to build up a resistance against its “evil move."

"The government of Khaleda Zia is presenting price hike of fuels as the new year’s gilt. They have taken this ami-people decision to destroy the economy." party General Secretary Zillur Rahman told a discussion meeting organised by Krishak League.

Krishak league, a front organisation of Awami League, organised the meeting at party central office at Bangabandhu Avenue as part of its Victory Day celebrations.

Asking the government to cancel (he decision of a raise in prices of fuels, he said this is a “disastrous decision" that would badly hamper production, particularly agricultural production.

He said during its five-year rule Awami League had made the country a food-surplus one from a food-deficit predicament. Bui again this government will make Bangladesh a food-deficit country under its plans to create sufferings for the people. Zillur apprehended that with the increase of fuel and gas rates prices of all essentials and foodstuff increase, factories would close down and the economy face a disaster. He urged the people to build a movement against this move.

Awami league Presidium Member Suranjil Sengupta told Ihe meeting that there is a total lawlessness prevailing in the country-farmer s would be pi itnc and major victims of the fuel price hike, and urged the people to build movement against this “anti people” decision.