Sellers said prices rode on a wave of customers on Friday, but shoppers blamed 'dishonest' traders for their miseries, saying they put price tags on most items at will.

"Bare necessities are spinning out of our affordability," said Ekram Hossain, a shopper. "It's unnerving for the poor."

The kitchen markets in Dhaka were caught in a 'blame game' yesterday when retailers held wholesalers responsible for the price spiral while wholesalers shifted the blame onto extortionists on inter-district transport routes.

"We are not charging high prices from customers mindlessly. Extortion of toll by criminals from each truck ferrying goods to facilities is forcing prices up," a wholesaler said.

At Karwan Bazar, the prices of vegetables spiralled by Tk 1 to 5 a kg yesterday from a day before.

Brinjals sold at Tk 35 a kg, up from Tk 30 a kg on Thursday, local onion at Tk 32 a kg, up from Tk 28-30 a kg, Indian onion at Tk 22 a kg, up from 18-20 a kg. Potato sold at Tk 12 to 14 a kg, up from Tk 11 a day before.

Cucumber prices kept a high and sold at Tk 35-36 a kg. Only sugar prices showed a slight fall, selling at Tk 30-32 a kg, down from Tk 34 a few days ago, sellers said.

The prices of essentials also proved fluid on Dhaka markets.

"The prices keep varying many times from morning to evening. There is no stability at all," said Manik, a retailer.

Soyabean oil in containers sold at Tk 54 a kg and loose at Tk 48 a kg, lentils at Tk 43 a kg, green chilli at Tk 30 a kg, red pepper at Tk 95 to 100 a kg, gram at Tk 28 a kg and tomato at Tk 36 per kg.

Local garlic carried a price of Tk 45 a kg, Indian garlic Tk 28 a kg, beans sold at Tk 60 a kg, okra at Tk 40 a kg, cauliflower and cabbage Tk 15-20 apiece.

But bean price hit as high as Tk 80 a kg in Mohammadpur kitchen market where cucumber sold at Tk 40 a kg, tomato at Tk 48, brinjals Tk 35 a kg, cabbage and cauliflower at Tk 20 a piece, bitter gourd at Tk 36 a kg and lentils at Tk 46 a kg, local onion at 34-35 a kg and Indian onion at Tk 28-30 a kg.

"It has become difficult for us to lead a decent life with the money we earn by honest means," said Munira Begum, a shopper.

Different orgaisations yesterday protested against the skyrocketing price, accusing the government of soft-pedalling on the crisis.

Jatiya Gonofront, Bangladesh Youth Front and Bangladesh Bohumukhi Sramajibi and Hawkers' Samity staged human chains and rallies protesting the price rise.