The Awami regime has done it again. The manipulation of the stock market has once again siphoned billions from unsuspecting small investors. It was learned that with 48 consecutive days of falling price indices, investors have lost over 1,000 billion (1 lakh crore) taka.

From January 18 to April 1 of this year, over 48 working days, the market lost a total of 1,100 billion as the capital decreased to 7,767 billion from 7,887 billion in taka. Those who purchased shares, whether in private portfolios or as part of organizations, have lost these amounts, and those holding the shares are in danger of losing more.

However, this was not surprising at all. In order to tackle the downward slide, a circuit breaker was set in the market after the coronavirus pandemic in July 2022. The market was stalled, and many major investors, both domestic and international, lost interest in it.

The breaker was lifted on January 21 to invigorate the market. However, it was always expected that once the restriction was lifted, it would trigger an avalanche. And that is exactly what happened.

We have seen time and again that whenever the Awami League is at the helm, the stock market is manipulated, leaving small investors destitute.

They have done it again. Firstly, by applying a brake for an extended period and then enticing people with the prospect of profit. Some might argue that the people are to blame for their greed, as they have been deceived time and again. They should have been wary. Even in this very column, I mentioned caution after the brake was lifted.

However, the country's economic situation is perilous. Even the interest rates were suppressed for years. As a result, people had very few options and, seeing some hope, they invested in stocks.

Despite investors' reckless attitudes, those behind this calamity cannot evade their responsibility. Once again, it is proven that this regime is draining money from the people by all means, and the bleeding stock market is one of their preferred methods.

The Boxer: The author is one of the indefatigable working-class Bangladeshis who have been trying to change the fate of the nation but were betrayed by the ruling elites and autocrats. The name is inspired by a character in George Orwell's 1945 novel Animal Farm.