VELLORE: Around 100 cadre of the CPM and CPI staged a hunger-protest before the Collectorate here on Monday, condemning the Central and State governments over price hike and corruption.
The Left parties criticised the BJP government’s decision to allow foreign direct investment in railways, defence and insurance sectors. Privatisation and other issues were also raised during the agitation.
The protesters demanded the State government to stop sand theft from major rivers, alleged caste discrimination against Dalits by government officials and urged the government to allow the opposition parties to speak in the Assembly.
The Leftists demanded the district administration to stop sand-mining from the Palar riverbed, new sand quarries; to expedite the Cauvery Combined Water Scheme and to finish the linking project of Ponnai and Palar rivers.
District Secretaries of CPM A Narayanan and CPI A C Samikannu led the protest. State secretaries and district cadre also took part in the protest.