DHAKA, Jan 22, 2024 (BSS) - Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina today issued a note of caution against the hoarders and market manipulators of essential commodities, saying they would face the music for this unholy job.

"If anyone hoards any goods from bad-intention, we'll have to take instant action against them through mobile courts and if needed they will be sent to jail," she told an introductory speech while chairing a meeting of Awami League Central Working Committee in her official Ganabhaban residence this evening.

Mentioning that the sudden price-hike (of essentials items) immediately after the election is a very much abnormal, Sheikh Hasina said, "It is inevitable to find out who are manipulators behind this price hike".

She added: "It's not only necessary to find out them, but also take instant actions against them. We'll do it in future".

The premier urged the countrymen to remain vigilant so that none can play games with the (prices of) food items by hoarding and black marketeering.

"There is no meaning to play games with the food items of people," she said.

Party Presidium Members Begum Matia Chowdhury, Kazi Zafarullah, Engineer Mosharraf Hossain and Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, its General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader and Central Working Committee Member Abul Hasnat Abdullah, among others, were at the dais.

Criticizing those who raise question about the recently held 12th parliamentary election, Sheikh Hasina said that whether any party participates in election it depends on the particular party.

Some intellectuals who are talking about election as fair, good or bad, they forgot that the people have accepted this election.

"May be some people don't like it, but people of the country accepted it," she said.
 
The Awami League Chief mentioned that there is unnecessary attempt to make water muddy, saying, "Attempts are being made to create unnecessary confusion. Not only that, all of a sudden, the prices of rice and (some other) commodities went high after the election".
 
The country's people, she said, spontaneously exercised their franchise in the January 7 general election despite campaign asking the voters not to cast their votes.

In this regard, she mentioned about campaign of propaganda and distribution of leaflets to make people confused about election.

She, however, extended her heartfelt gratitude to the country's people as they have cast their votes.

They (BNP) now want to start again conspiracy in an alternative way, saying there are attempts to wage movements in the RMG sector alongside price-hike of essentials after being failed to thwart the polls.

"We'll not allow them to play ducks and drakes with the fate of the people of Bangladesh," she said.

The head of the government said the people are pleased and happy as the election was held and Awami League formed the government.

"Inshallah, any abnormal situation won't take place anymore in Bangladesh," she said, mentioning that they have established democracy and it would continue.

The socio-economic development of the people would be ensured with continuation of democracy, she added.

Noting that her government will make further development of the country, she said that they would keep arrangements to give a befitting reply to those who want to obstruct the development journey of Bangladesh.

In the meeting, the issues of upcoming upazila election were also discussed.