BJP holds state-wide agitation against fuel price hike

Chennai, June 7 (UNI) BJP activists today courted arrest after staging Roadroko agitations in Tamil Nadu, protesting against the steep hike in prices of petrol and diesel by the Congress led UPA government at the Centre.

In the city, party senior leader and former Union Minister S Thirunavukarasar and General secretary G Kumaravelu led the agitation. About 300 volunteers squatted on the road near Valluvarkottam, holding up traffic for about 20 minutes.

In Coimbatore, the agitators led by party state unit President C P Radhakrishnan blocked traffic for about 15 minutes and raised slogans demanding the Centre to withdraw the price hike.

A report from Tirchirapalli said the agitators, led by state secretary Balaji Sivaraj came in a procession from the party office at Thillainagar to the Mainguardgate area by pulling a motorcycle-laden bullock cart to register their protest.

Similar agitations were organised by the party workers in Salem, Kanniyakumari, Madurai, Ramanathapuram, Krishnagiri, Tirunelveli, Tuticorin and Nilgris. Former Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan led the agitation in Kanniyakumari, a party release said.

Elsewhere in the state, taxi and auto-rickshaw drivers, supported by trade unions, affiliated to the Left parties, organised protests, condemning the price hike and demanding a roll back. They held banners and placards, denouncing the Centre for effecting a steep hike.

UNI TEAM/WS VD RAI2108