Dhaka, May 28 -- The Power Division has labelled the ongoing protests over Palli Bidyut, or rural electrification, reforms as "attempts to destabilise the nation", saying the movement is in no way linked to the "dedicated staff" of Palli Bidyut Samity.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the state-run agency urged demonstrators to end the protests and return to their workplaces.

"Some employees of the Palli Bidyut Samity (PBS) are trying to create instability in the country by bringing up the issue of rural electricity reform; as an excuse, which is undesirable," it said.

"A press release of unregistered Bangladesh Rural Electricity Association caught the government's attention and it observed that this so-called group does not represent...