Manipur NGOs protest against fuel, essential commodities price hike

IMPHAL:

Manipur NGOs on February 18 staged a protest against a hike in fuel price and various other essential commodities in the state.

The NGOs have demanded that the government looks into this matter urgently.

The protest was staged by the Youth’s Forum for Protection of Human Rights (YFPHR), Youth’s Action Committee for Protection of Indigenous People’s (YACPIP), Young People for Social Reform (YPSR), Khangabok Development and Students’ Union (KDASU), Chandonpokpi Youth Forum (CYF), Sunushiphai Youth Welfare Association (SYWA).

The NGOs lamented that the common people have been suffering due to economic shutdown since March last year.

The steps taken by the Government of India to increase the price of the essential commodities, petroleum products to recover the lost economy of India from the poor section of people violate the Right to Life guaranteed under the Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, they said.

"The unbearable price hike directly burdens the poor section of the society who earn for their living for a day such as rickshaw pullers, vegetable vendors, school van drivers, auto drivers, small shops and hotels owners, domestic workers, potters, etc."

"The fuel price hike impacts people who are dependent on the public transportation as they bear double the price in every interval to reach their destination," they added.

They have submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister N Biren Singh and the Governor of Manipur, Najma Heptulla to take into consideration the misery of the common people and urgently solve the problem.

Meanwhile on Thursday, the prices of fuel report, Rs 93.55 per litre for petrol and Rs 83.73 per litre for diesel.

(Edited by Gabriel G Momin)