The Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) has formally proposed the deployment of the army to safeguard the nation’s primary fuel depots. In a strategic move to pre-empt civil unrest and ensure the continuity of the national energy supply, the corporation has also requested intensified police patrols across all filling stations.
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Escalating Security Concerns
The Chairman of the BPC, Md. Rezanur Rahman, issued two separate missives to the Energy and Mineral Resources Division, outlining a deteriorating situation at several Key Point Installations (KPIs). The primary catalyst for this heightened security posture is a sudden surge in demand from dealers, coupled with reports that supply chains are struggling to keep pace with “abnormal” requisites.
The BPC expressed specific anxieties regarding potential volatile demonstrations at several critical hubs, including the primary marketing installations in Patenga, Chattogram. Other vulnerable sites identified include depots in Daulatpur (Khulna), Baghabari (Sirajganj), Godnail and Fatullah (Narayanganj), Parbatipur (Dinajpur), and Barishal.
Combatting Panic Buying
The second communication from the BPC addressed the psychological impact of misinformation. Rumours circulating on social media regarding fuel shortages have triggered a wave of panic buying.
“Negative reports in various media and social platforms have encouraged consumers to stockpile fuel far beyond their immediate needs,” the BPC noted.
This “hoarding instinct” has created a feedback loop: dealers are demanding more stock from depots to satisfy panicked queues, while individual consumers are attempting to purchase unauthorised quantities at the pump. To mitigate this, the BPC has already issued a press release limiting the amount of fuel sold to individual customers. However, this restriction has led to confrontations between disgruntled motorists and station staff, necessitating the request for a constant police presence.
Strategic Infrastructure at Risk
| Installation Location | Region | Strategic Significance |
| Patenga | Chattogram | Primary Import & Distribution Hub |
| Baghabari | Sirajganj | Vital for Northern Agricultural Supply |
| Godnail / Fatullah | Narayanganj | Key Industrial and Riverine Supply Point |
| Parbatipur | Dinajpur | Critical Border-adjacent Storage |
| Daulatpur | Khulna | Major South-Western Distribution Centre |
Call for Government Intervention
The BPC’s proposal emphasises that since these depots are classified as Key Point Installations (KPIs), their protection is a matter of national security. The corporation has urged the Ministry of Home Affairs to coordinate the military and police deployments immediately to prevent any sabotage or large-scale public disorder.
While the BPC maintains that current national stocks are sufficient, the move to bring in the military suggests a “zero-tolerance” approach toward any disruption of the energy grid during this sensitive period.