BPC seeks stronger police patrols at filling stations amid fuel rush
Amid rising public concern over fuel supply, Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) has requested that police patrols at filling stations across the country be strengthened to ensure security.
BPC today wrote to the home ministry, seeking necessary action.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. In a letter, BPC Chairman Md Rezanur Rahman said media reports and social media posts on fuel stockpiles have triggered a rush among consumers to buy more fuel than needed. This has led some filling station dealers to collect larger quantities from depots than usual.
The letter also noted that some consumers are attempting to hoard fuel illegally. To manage the situation, BPC has already issued a press statement, limiting the supply of fuel to consumers at filling stations.
BPC further warned that incidents between customers and station staff have been reported at various filling stations recently, with occasional tension and disruptions. Ensuring security at these sites has therefore become critical.
In a separate letter, the ministry of power, energy and mineral resources wrote to the deputy commissioner (DCs) of all districts to initiate mobile courts to stop fuel hoarding and overpricing.
In a directive, the authorities said media reports indicated that some unscrupulous traders were stockpiling fuel illegally to create an artificial shortage in the market.
To stabilise the situation, the government has already fixed limits on the amount of fuel that can be sold to vehicles. However, reports suggest that some petrol pumps and filling stations are selling fuel above the government-set price, stockpiling supplies to earn excess profit, and diverting fuel to the open market or for smuggling.
"In this situation, DCs have been requested to take necessary steps and operate mobile courts to prevent illegal hoarding, sale above the fixed price, open-market trading and smuggling of fuel," said the directive.
Meanwhile, officer-in-charges (OCs) of all police stations have been asked to ensure security at the petrol pumps and CNG refuelling stations.
Muhammad Talebur Rahman, deputy commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), said OCs have been instructed to remain alert against any untoward incident at petrol pumps and CNG refuelling stations in their respective areas.
Comments