The Communist Party of India (CPI) on Monday staged protests at district headquarters across Bihar against the fourth increase in petrol and diesel prices in the last 10 days. The party demanded a reduction in excise duty and value added tax (VAT) imposed by the central and state governments on the two fuels.
Protests in Sheikhpura and other districts
In Sheikhpura, CPI workers entered the district collectorate campus and raised slogans against the fuel price hike. Protesters also shouted slogans over the recent attack on the party's district secretary Prabhat Kumar Pandey. The party said demonstrations were also held in Begusarai, Madhubani, Khagaria, West Champaran, Gopalganj and Gaya, among other districts.
CPI state secretary's statement
In Patna, CPI state secretary Ram Naresh Pandey said the fuel price hike had triggered a rise in transportation costs, agricultural inputs and daily-use commodities, severely affecting common people. He demanded immediate withdrawal of the hike and reduction in taxes on petrol and diesel.
Background of the protests
The protests followed the party's two-day state council meeting in Chhapra from May 22 to 23, where plans for statewide agitations on “burning issues” were finalised.
