Left activists take to streets against fuel price hike

New Delhi, Jun 11 (UNI) Hundreds of Left activists today took to the streets protesting the UPA government's decision to hike prices of petrol, diesel and cooking gas and resolved to intensify their agitation unless a rollback took place.

The Left protest led by senior CPI (M)leader Sitaram Yechuri was part of a countrywide week-long agitation against inflation, which began on May 6.

Slogan-shouting protestors carrying placards and banners demanded the government accept the Left five-point charter of demands which includes greater cuts on excise and customs on crude oil, strenghtening the public distribution system and further changing the Essential Commodities Act to empower the states to take action against the black marketeers and hoaders.

The protestors gathered at Mandi House and proceeded towards the Parliament. They were, however, stopped by the police in front of the Parliament House police station where the Left leaders addressed the protesters.

Adressing the protestors, Mr Yechuri accused the Centre of giving benefits to the corporate and the rich and taxing the poor. He alleged the government had ignored their suggestions only to help the private oil giants like Reliance and ESSAR.

The decision had a cascading effect on the poor and the middle class, he said.

If the government did not mend its ways, they would intensify their agitation, he added. The joint protest was organised by the Delhi units of CPI(M),CPI, RSP and Forward Bloc.

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