All Assam Students' Union's satyagraha against price hike
The petrol and diesel prices across the country as well as the State have continued their upward march taking its retail rates to unprecedented levels.
CORRESPONDENTS
LAKHIMPUR: The petrol and diesel prices across the country as well as the State have continued their upward march taking its retail rates to unprecedented levels. The hike in the prices of petro-products, including Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG), is burning big holes in the consumers' pockets at a time when the common people are battling the adverse impact caused by coronavirus pandemic and lockdown.
The middle class and those at the margins of society have to struggle for their existence. These challenges have been compounded by runaway inflation and an unprecedented rise in price of almost all household items and essential commodities. Despite such circumstances, the governments in the State and at the Centre have still been seen taking no steps to check the price hike. On Friday, the price of petrol per litre in Lakhimpur was Rs. 105.48 while the price of diesel per litre was Rs. 97.56.
Under such circumstances, expressing vehement resentment over the issue, the Lakhimpur district unit of All Assam Students' Union (AASU) on Friday resorted to stir in Lakhimpur demanding the government's initiatives to control the hike in the prices of petro-products. In this connection, the organization initiated satyagraha in front of the Deputy Commissioner's office strongly protesting against the sky-rocketing prices of petrol, diesel, LPG and other essential commodities.
Attending the protest programme, AASU State executive member Dhanmoni Dutta excoriated the State Government, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Food and Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Ranjeet Dass, alleging their comprehensive failure to establish their control over the black marketers of the State who have been hiking the prices of the essential commodities taking advantage of the alleged lackadaisical attitude of the State Government towards the issue.
During the demonstration, the protesters flayed the Union and State governments, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Food and Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Ranjeet Dass by shouting a number of slogans alleging their failure in controlling price hike. Lakhimpur district unit AASU conveners Sanjib Konwar, Faridur Rahman, Simanta Neog, Kanala Sarmah Tultul Bhorali, Dhakuakhana subdivision unit president Swaraj Sankar Gogoi, and other leaders were present in the protest programme.
TINSUKIA: Responding to the All Assam Students' Union (AASU) appeal, the Tinsukia District Students' Union observed satyagraha in front of its office near Tinsukia College and later took out a rally at Tinsukia to protest against sky-rocketing prices of essential commodities and cooking fuel on Friday. Led by president Raja Balimara and general secretary Samar JyotiGohain, the rally that started from Tinsukia College culminated at Thana Chariali. The protesters from 12 regional student unions shouted slogans against the Civil Supply Minister, Chief Minister and BJP government. The rally was addressed by AASU vice-president Binoy Dubey, central executive member Rana Sonar and others who demanded immediate halt to escalating price rise.
Also Read: AASU stages protest against price hike of essential commodities at Biswanath Chariali
Also watch:
