Iranians are entitled to protest, insecurity not tolerated: Rouhani

Tehran: Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has said that his administration recognizes people's right to hold protests against the government’s decision to ration gasoline and increase petrol prices, but emphasized that nobody would be allowed to spread insecurity in the society.

Speaking at a cabinet meeting here on Sunday, Rouhani said that holding protest rallies were a natural right of the people, the Tehran-based Press TV reported. “After implementing this plan, we saw that some people took to the streets to protest. I believe that it is natural when the administration implements a plan and not everyone agrees to it. Some people may be opposed and they have the right to give voice to their opposition. “What the government has done was in accordance with the law... We act on the basis of the law and what we finalized was agreed upon by the heads of the three branches of the government,” he added.

The country-wide protests erupted on Friday after the National Iranian Oil Products Distribution Company (NIOPDC) said that the price of a liter of regular gasoline had gone up to 15,000 rials (12.7 US cents) from 10,000 rials and the monthly ration for each private automobile was set at 60 liters per month. Additional purchases would cost 30,000 rials per liter.

The NIOPDC added that taxis and ambulances would have a 400-liter and 500-liter monthly quota, respectively. The price of CNG and gas oil will remain unchanged. Rouhani added on Sunday that protesting was different from rioting. “Protesting is different from rioting. A protest is a right for all the people and they can protest... But we must not allow insecurity in society.” The protests took a violent turn on Saturday with the death of a police officer in Kermanshah province. (IANS)

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