Agartala: The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M)-led ruling Left Front in Tripura has called for a 12-hour shutdown in the state on Thursday to protest the petrol price hike.
CPI-M state secretary Bijan Dhar told reporters here Sunday that the Congress-led central government has "made the greatest assault on the common people and developmental works" by allowing the unprecedented increase in prices of petrol.
"The dawn-to-dusk strike would be observed May 31 to protest the hike in prices of fuel and to demand withdrawal of the decision," said Dhar, flanked by leaders of other Left parties.
Quoting from government records, he said the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government has increased petrol prices 36 times since 2004, "even though in the international market the fuel prices did not increase so many times".
The Left parties said that by reducing the customs and excise duties on petroleum products, the prices of various fuels can be checked.
Meanwhile, five Left youth and student organisations, including Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), have announced a symbolic vehicular strike for 15 minutes across Tripura Tuesday morning demanding withdrawal of the petrol price hike.
DYFI president Amal Chakraborty said: "Protest demonstrations would also be held Tuesday at more than 100 places, including all sub-divisional and block headquarters to protest the colossal increase of the petrol prices."
State-owned oil companies on Wednesday announced a hike of Rs.6.28 per litre, exclusive of taxes, in prices of petrol.
IANS
