Comilla: Observing that country’s people have lost their right to freedom of speech, Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad on Sunday said now a suffocating environment is prevailing in the country as there is no scope to wage protests.

‘People have lost their right to life, speech and vote. There’s no scope to wage protests…if anyone protests, his/her body will be found on the street. Everyday people are being repressed,’ he said.

Ershad was addressing a conference of Comilla Dakkhin District Jatiya Party.

Criticising the price hike of gas and power, Ershad, also a Special Envoy to the Prime Minister, said, ‘There’s no logic behind this price hike…many had suggested them [govt] not to raise gas and power prices but they didn’t pay heed to anyone. This government doesn’t see people’s tears.’

He went on saying, ‘Now we’ve retuned to the ‘Dark age’ where teachers are being assaulted by students. Now there’s no good governance in the country, and the law and order situation has deteriorated. Even Hindu community’s property is being grabbed.’

The JaPa chief said people now want a change and want Jatiya Party to be in power excluding the two main parties -- Awami League and BNP.

About Awami League, Ershad said, ‘Awami League ascended on power after 21 years with our support. But what have we got? My party was forced to spilt, I was sent to jail, I didn’t get any justice.’

‘BNP wanted to eliminate Jatiya Party…now the BNP men are facing the same repression what they had done to me. I never supported them [BNP] and there’s no question of unity with them,’ he added.

JP secretary general Ziauddin Bablu, Water Resources Minister Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud and Roushara Mannan, MP, among others, spoke at the programme.