Bangladesh is in the grip of a crisis, us,farmers take to the streets, block roads, snatch fertiliser'tonsignments,and even set ablaze government offices and the residences of political leaders. They are irked at the recent steep hike in fertiliser prices: a 50 kg bag ofchemical fertiliser has doubled from US $5.75 to US $10.

In a move to stall the situation, prime minister Khaleda, Zia has ordered the army to distribute fertilisers among the farmers. The agitation has alreadv claimed around 7 lives and has left over 100 farmers injured.

Bangladesh opposition parties blame the district and thana level functionaries who, they claim, have entered into a collusion with the local ruling party leaders.