Petrol hike: Left protests at Jantar Mantar, BJP stir tomorrow

New Delhi, June 6 (UNI) The sharp hike in prices of petrol effected by the UPA Government yesterday led to a wave of protests in Delhi today with political parties as well as traders describing the increase as an ''extra financial burden'' on the people.

To protest against the Rs 4 per litre hike in petrol prices and a Rs 2 per litre hike in diesel prices, the Left parties today held a demonstration at Jantar Mantar.

Hundreds of demonstrators belonging to the Left-supported trade unions, led by leaders of the CPI as well as the CPI (M), termed the decision to hike petrol prices as "unjustifiable" and demanded its immediate rollback.

Addressing the protestors, carrying red flags, banners and placards, the Left leaders said the sharp rise in Petrol and diesel prices would have a cascading affect on the price of essential commodities, thus increasing the financial burden on the common people.

''If the Government does not reverse the decision, we will hit the streets,'' CPI (M) leader Nilotpal Basu said.

CPI Leader A Raja said the government had gone ahead with the hike, ignoring the suggestions put forward by the Left to cope with the increase in international prices of oil.

''We had, among other things, suggested to the Government to set up a Petrol Stabilisation Fund to help keep the petroleum prices under check,''CPI leader A Raja said.

The Left has announced a week-long nationwide agitation in protest against the hike.

The agitation will culminate in a National Protest Day on June 13.

Meanwhile, the BJP has announced it would hold demonstrations and transport blockades in the capital tomorrow to protest against the increase in fuel prices.

The state unit of the party will hold street demonstrations, sit-ins and road and rail blockades between 1100 hrs and 1300 hrs tomorrow to protest against the fuel price hikes.

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