NONGPOH: The Ri Bhoi District Congress Committee on Thursday staged a protest march here against the rise in prices of fuel and other food commodities under the BJP-led NDA government.
Congress workers led by MPCC president Celestine Lyngdoh, who was accompanied by Nongpoh MLA Mayralborn Syiem and Umroi MLA George Lyngdoh, began the procession from Pahamsyiem and stopped at the deputy commissioner’s office where a memorandum was submitted to the President of India through the DC. The protesters displayed placards and banners and shouted slogans condemning the trend of untamed prices of various commodities. On the same day, the Nongpoh Region Auto Owners and Drivers Association also took out a protest march on the same over the fuel price rise and more than hundreds of auto rickshaws lined up on the street to protest.
While speaking to media persons after the protest march, the MPCC president said the Congress was forced to stage a protest as the poor are suffering. Comparing the market condition under the UPA and the NDA governments, Lyngdoh said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Achhe Din” has turned into difficult days.
He called the BJP government “the most corrupt” as he mentioned the ‘Rafale Jet deal’ scam. The Congress has decided to continue the protest, he said. The president of Nongpoh Auto Owners and Drivers Association, Markus Marten, said neither the state nor the Centre is serious to solve the issue.
“Frequent fuel price rise has adversely affected drivers and owners. If the prices of petrol and diesel increase, auto fare will also rise affecting the public, especially the poor,” Marten said. The association urged the state government to take up the matter with the Centre.
