Shutdown in Assam over hike in fuel prices

Guwahati, June 9: A 12-hour shutdown called by the Asom Gana Parishad and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) separately against the hike in fuel prices began today. Security in Assam has been beefed up in view of the shutdown call. Additional forces have been deployed in all vital installations to monitor law and order situation.

The State Government has directed all the district and sub-divisional administrations to ensure normal functioning of offices and services. The Central Government had announced the increase in the prices of petrol and diesel by about ten per cent and a cylinder of cooking gas by 17 per cent, the biggest hike in fuel prices in 12 years.

Meanwhile, the Centre has ruled out any roll back of the hike in petrol, diesel and cooking gas prices.

ANI