Public protest demanding cancellation of prepaid meters in Rangpur

Published: 09 May 2026 : A public sit-in and rally were held in Rangpur to protest the forced installation of prepaid meters in residential areas by NESCO, ignoring public opinion. 

This program was organized at the Press Club premises on Saturday (May 9) afternoon by the Rangpur Metropolitan Citizens Committee.

Chaired by Rangpur Metropolitan Citizens Committee convener Professor Mozahar Ali and moderated by Member Secretary Advocate Palash Kanti Nag, the rally was addressed in solidarity by former municipal chairman Kazi Mohammad Junnun, freedom fighter Abdus Sattar, Banglar Chokh chairman Tanbir Hossain Ashrafi, advocate Khairul Islam Bappi, convener of Anti-Oppression Women's Forum Bithi Das Nandini, organizer Kanak Rahman, journalists Asaduzzaman Afzal, Farhaduzzaman Faruk and Krishak Sangram Parishad member Abdus Sattar Pramanik, among others.

Advocate Palash Kanti Nag said at the rally that although the Electricity Department is a service organization, they are walking on the path of implementing looting projects by sacrificing the interests of consumers. Although it is the responsibility of the government to ensure uninterrupted electricity at affordable prices for the citizens, price increases and undemocratic decisions are being imposed on the people. This project needs to be canceled immediately in the interest of the country's agriculture and the common people.

Victim customer Nurunnabi Bulbul alleged that as soon as the prepaid meter is recharged, money is being deducted in various names, including meter rent and demand charges. Customers are suffering immensely as the connection is disconnected as soon as the money runs out. Farmer representative Abdus Sattar Pramanik said that this system will seriously harm the agricultural economy. Earlier, there was an opportunity to pay the electricity bill after harvesting the crops, but now it will not be possible to carry out irrigation work without advance money. Journalist Farhaduzzaman Faruk said that if prepaid meters were people-friendly, they should have been installed in government offices first.

The rally demanded an immediate halt to the installation of prepaid meters, publication of a white paper on irregularities and corruption in the electricity sector, an end to decision-making without public hearings, and uninterrupted electricity supply at affordable prices. The leaders warned that if these demands were not met, strict programs like NESCO siege and hartal would be announced in the future.