Thousands of motorcyclists in Dhaka thronged filling stations on Friday night after the government announced new prices for all fuel oil.

In numerous videos shared on social media platforms, especially Facebook, people were seen crowding the filling stations and jostling to fill their vehicles’ tanks.

At around 12:30am, a motorcyclist at the capital’s Asad Gate petrol pump told Bangla Tribune that vehicles, especially motorcycles have gathered at the filing stations after the price hike was announced.

Meanwhile, several filing stations in Dhaka’s Mohammadpur, Agargaon, Malibagh, and other areas reportedly suspended their operations after the news broke, declaring their sales would resume after midnight when the new prices would come into effect.

This ensued a protest among motorcyclists late at night, demanding fuel at previous prices.

Meanwhile, officers at Mohammmadpur police station told Bangla Tribune that two filling stations in that area refused to sell oil to customers before 12am.

After their announcement, motorcyclists took position on the road and refused to move till they were sold fuel at old prices.

This also resulted in traffic but the police managed to control the situation shorty.

The government on Friday said it was forced to increase fuel oil prices, considering high prices in many different countries including neighbouring India.

The sharp rise, around 50%, came as a surprise since the authorities recently rumors of a possible crisis over fuel stock.

Finance minister AHM Mustafa Kamal also claimed that there is no pressure from global lender IMF to raise the prices.

Now the prices of diesel and kerosene per litre at the consumer level is Tk114, octane Tk135, and petrol Tk130.