The opposition Communist Party of India (Marxist) Sadar Divisional Committee on Saturday organized a protest rally in Agartala against the recent hike in the prices of petrol, diesel, LPG cylinders and other essential commodities.
The rally commenced from in front of Bhanu Ghosh Smriti Bhavan at Melarmath and passed through various thoroughfares of the city. Protesters raised slogans condemning the price rise and alleged that the increasing costs of fuel and essential items were putting an additional burden on common people.
The party demanded an immediate rollback of petrol and diesel prices and urged the government to take effective measures to control the prices of essential commodities. Demonstrators also raised slogans against the alleged anti-people policies of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) -led government and protested against the rising costs of water, electricity and cooking gas.
Speaking to media persons, CPI (M) leader Amal Chakraborty alleged that soon after the elections in five states, the central government increased petrol and diesel prices by Rs 3 and diesel prices by Rs 2 citing the Gulf conflict. He claimed that while Left parties had earlier warned about the possible economic impact of the war, supporters of the ruling party had dismissed such concerns.
Chakraborty further stated that the hike in fuel prices would have a cascading effect on the economy by increasing transportation expenses, agricultural production costs and the prices of essential goods. He also criticized the government over reports of several petrol pumps displaying “No Petrol” boards despite official claims that there is no fuel shortage in the state.