VISAKHAPATNAM:A large number of activists of CPM staged a protest near Jagadamba Junction in the city Saturday against the hike in petrol and diesel prices. The agitators also burnt the effigy of the government and raised slogans against it.
Pointing out that the fuel price was increased twice in this month, CPM members Y Raju, VS Padmanabharaju, G Rajeswara Rao and Mani criticised the government for not considering the common man’s woes and demanded to withdraw the move immediately. They also warned of intensifying the protests if their demand was not fulfilled. Earlier, the activists exchanged heated words with the police when the latter intervened and arrested them.
In Srikakulam district, the CPM members staged a stir at the Day and Night Junction against the price hike of fuel and also burnt the effigy of the Central government. Party leaders Ganesh, Tirupathi Rao and Srinivasa Rao averred that the move had come as a jolt to the people when they were already burdened with steep increase in the prices of essential commodities. The police took several agitators into custody.