[Onthebarricades] "Food riots" and price protests - Asia and global

[Andy]

ON THE BARRICADES - Global Resistance Roundup, April-August 2008
https://lists.resist.ca/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/onthebarricades
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/globalresistance/

Food protests:
*  INDIA:  Left and opposition parties stage protest campaign over commodity 
prices
*  Clashes with officials were reported in flood-hit Bihar
*  Protesters in Patna blocked trains
*  In Hyderabad, protesters tried to storm a meeting
*  In Delhi, a (near-)naked protest was held
*  AFGHANISTAN:  Hundreds block road in protest over food prices
*  PERU:  Women protest outside congress
*  HAITI:  Food price protesters battle UN guards
*  BANGLADESH:  Textile workers smash factories and cars in food price 
protest
*  PHILLIPINES:  Street vendors and "militants" stage price protests

Water shortages:
*  BANGLADESH:  Hundreds defy ban to protest in capital
*  INDIA:  Similar protests held in Tamil Nadu

http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSDEL87720080822?feedType=RSS&feedName=environmentNews

Food riots as floods swamp South Asia
Fri Aug 22, 2008 8:24am EDT

By Sharat Pradhan
LUCKNOW, India (Reuters) - Flood victims demanding food and shelter beat up 
government officials in India on Friday as monsoon rains spread misery among 
millions of people across South Asia and forced thousands from their homes.
Rising rivers have crumpled embankments, swamped farmlands and destroyed 
homes, killing almost 1,000 people since the monsoon rains began in June.
In India's eastern Bihar state, hungry villagers rioted for food, chasing 
and beating up officials and local politicians with iron rods. They damaged 
government vehicles.
"We do not understand their anger because the government is rushing relief 
and doing everything to save them," said R.K. Singh, a senior government 
official in Patna, the state capital.
Most deaths have been reported in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, home 
to 170 million people.
Indian officials on Friday reported 50 more deaths, raising the toll there 
to 710 this season.
Monsoon rains have killed at least another 130 people in other parts of 
India this year, while Nepal has reported some 65 deaths and Bangladesh 
another 30 so far.
The monsoon is key to irrigating farmland in South Asia and driving economic 
growth in a region heavily reliant on agriculture. But it leaves massive 
destruction in its wake, killing hundreds of people every year.
RESCUE BY BOAT
Officials in Uttar Pradesh have moved more than 10,000 people into temporary 
shelters after their houses were destroyed in floods.
Rescue workers used boats to ferry food packets, medicines and clothes to 
those marooned, Balwinder Kumar, a senior government official said on 
Friday. More than 7,000 flood victims were being treated for water-borne 
diseases.
In neighboring Bangladesh, more than 300,000 people have fled their homes 
and thousands have been marooned as heavy rains over the past week triggered 
fresh floods in southeastern Cox's Bazar district, officials said.
Several overflowing rivers in Cox's Bazar and nearby hill districts have 
flooded roads and damaged crops.
In Nepal, 40,000 flood victims were housed in relief camps.
"We have collected enough food grains to feed them for two weeks but need 
tents, medical kits and other relief materials urgently," said government 
official Suman Ghimire.
(Additional reporting by Ruma Paul in Dhaka and Gopal Sharma in Kathmandu; 
Writing by Bappa Majumdar; Editing by Krittivas Mukherjee and Paul Tait)

http://www.thehindu.com/2008/04/24/stories/2008042458240300.htm

Left parties to continue protest against rise in prices of essentials
Staff Reporter
- Photo: R. Ashok.

JOINT EFFORTS: Communist Party of India leader R. Nallakannu addressing a 
public meeting in Tiruchi on Tuesday.
TIRUCHI: The Left parties will continue their protest against the sharp hike 
in the prices of essential commodities until the Central government 
initiates necessary steps to bring it under control, senior Communist Party 
of India leader R. Nallakannu said on Tuesday.
Addressing a meeting organised jointly by the CPI and CPI (M) against price 
rise here, Mr. Nallakannu said the prices of essentially commodities had 
spiralled since the Union Budget was presented in the Parliament in 
February.
Pointing out that online trading was the chief cause for the drastic 
increase in the prices, he accused the government of being supportive of 
price manipulators. The joint protest by the two Left parties was being 
conducted to make the Government understand the problem of price rise, which 
was affecting all sections of the society.
The protest were being organised not with an eye on elections but to 
necessitate the government to take suitable steps to control price rise and 
thereby reduce the burden on the common man, he said.
The CPI (M) central committee member U. Vasuki said the Government had to 
answer various questions as to the reasons for the price rise and the steps 
it planned to control the trend. She said the Government should remove 25 
types of food grains from online trading.
Instead of paying huge price by importing food grains, the Government could 
provide competitive price to the farmers for their produce which would go a 
long way in improving their economic condition, she said.
The CPI district secretary Indrajit and CPI(M) district secretary Sridhar 
spoke .

http://www.thehindu.com/2008/04/23/stories/2008042352550300.htm

CPI (M) protests over rising prices
Staff Correspondent
SHIMLA: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) organised protests all over 
Himachal Pradesh on Tuesday against rising prices and "anti-people policies" 
of the State Government and the Centre.
Hundreds of CPI (M) activists took part in demonstrations at Shimla, Rampur, 
Bhawa Nagar, Rohru and Theog areas of the district, said Sanjay Chauhan, 
district secretary of the party.
Similar demonstrations would follow in the days to come in other districts 
of the State, he said.
The party's State secretary and Central Committee member Rakesh Singha 
addressed a public meeting in Rampur.
In Shimla, a dharna was held followed by a procession through Lower Bazaar 
that culminated into a public meeting at Naaz. The meeting was addressed by 
Tikender Singh Panwar, Member of the CPI (M) State Secretariat, and other 
local leaders.
The CPI (M) has charged that the price rise in recent times has reached 
alarming proportions because of the neo-liberal policies adopted and very 
conscientiously followed both by the Congress and the BJP. "It is because of 
these policies that the essential food items, which were earlier regulated, 
were freed from controls and kept directly under the supervision of market 
forces," it alleged.
To make matters worse, "the Government has virtually dismantled the public 
distribution system for essential commodities, which acted as a buffer for 
holding the prices. Now the BJP government in the State has even reduced the 
compressed PDS quota", the CPI (M) alleged.

http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Protestors-stop-trains-to-protest-price-rise/301095/

Protestors stop trains to protest price rise

Posted online: Thursday , April 24, 2008 at 11:07:16
Updated: Thursday , April 24, 2008 at 11:07:16

Patna, April 24: Hundreds of volunteers of 'Rashtriya Mahila Brigade' 
stopped trains in Patna on Thursday as some of them even climbed on the top 
of a locomotive during an agitation against rise in prices of essential 
commodities.
Railway sources said the women, protesting the price rise, also squatted on 
the tracks at Mokama railway station in Patna district.
Nearly one hundred activists of the brigade headed by their leader Anita 
Singh, carrying sticks, halted the Mahananda Express and Farakka Express at 
the Sachivalay Halt in the state capital protesting price hike and demanding 
adequate reservation for women in Parliament.
Many of them clambered atop the engine of Mahananda Express and did not 
allow the driver to proceed further. Shouting slogans like mehangai roko 
bandho daam, nahin to hoga chakka jam (check spiralling price, there will be 
no blockade), they blocked the movement of the trains for about a couple of 
hours this morning.
The protesters also stopped Lalquila Express at Mokama station, about 50 km 
from Patna.
Some of the activists also entered into scuffle with the passengers who got 
angry over their move. The tracks were later cleared of the agitators by the 
police.

http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/16/stories/2008051651070300.htm

Price rise: TDP, CPI (M) stage protests
Staff Reporter
Allege government failure in taking action against hoarding and 
black-marketing

Police arrest 200 CPI (M) activists while picketing
The arrested stage dharna at Two Town police station

Tug-of-war: Police officer trying to remove a CPI (M) leader who is 
picketing the BSNL office protesting the price rise in Anantapur on 
Thursday.
ANANTAPUR: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) and Telugu Desam Party 
staged separate protests here on Thursday against the rising prices of 
essential commodities and the alleged government failure to control the 
prices. While the CPI (M) picketed the BSNL GM's office and HPO, the TDP 
staged a dharna in front of the RDO's office.
Speaking at the picketing district secretary of CPI (M) G. Obulakonda Reddy, 
town secretary V. Rambhupal and others alleged that the government failed in 
taking measures to check the rising prices and this has dealt a sever blow 
to the poor and the middle class. They alleged that lack of action against 
hoarding and black marketing of essential commodities was giving an 
impression that there was an unholy nexus between the traders and 
government. Lack of government control on the trading of commodities, 
particularly the future and forward trading, was leading to the crisis, they 
felt. They urged the Centre to exempt at least essential commodities from 
future and forward trading to bring down the prices.
Artificial scarcity
Supermarket chains and traders were procuring the commodities cheaply from 
farmers and hoarding them to create artificial scarcity, the CPI (M) leaders 
alleged. Such hoarded stocks were also making their way to black market. 
They suggested vigilance raids on godowns of traders and major supermarkets 
to prevent hoarding and strengthening the public distribution system.
The rising prices had a serious impact on the lives of those working in the 
unorganised sector. They also criticised the Centre's talk of "no need to 
worry" as height of irresponsibility. Later, the police lifted the 
protesting activists and arrested about 200 of them. The arrested activists 
staged a dharna in Two Town police station alleging that the police had used 
private persons in obstructing the protest and their misbehaviour with women 
activists. Party leaders Mr. Obulakonda Reddy, V. Rambhupal, P. Prasoona, 
corporator, V. Savithri of AIDWA, Sunkanna of DYFI, A. Manohar and Rasool 
were among the arrested.
AT the dharna in front of the RDO's office district secretary of TDP V. 
Hanumantharaya Chowdary, party leaders B.K. Parthasarathi, K. Jayaram, K.M. 
Saifullah, K.C. Narayana, K. Venkata Prasad and others gave examples of 
commodity-wise prices now and four years back. The party will stage another 
protest on May 27.

http://andhracafe.com/index.php?m=show&id=35026

TDP bid to protest at collector's meet foiled
Updated:  07-04-2008  Email this Page

HYDERABAD : City police foiled the attempts of the TDP activists to protest 
near Jubilee Hall, where the collector's conference was in progress, against 
the price rise. Over 150 Telugu Desam Party leaders and cadres were arrested 
when they tried to charge towards Jubilee Hall from Indira Park on Thursday.

They were  protesting against the skyrocketing prices of essential 
commodities and non-availability of normal brand of diesel, fertilizers and 
pesticides.The agitators staged a dharna at Indira Park and wanted to go 
towards the Jubilee Hall where Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy was 
addressing the Collectors' conference.
Speakign at the dharna former minister and TDP city unit president K 
Vijayarama Rao accused the State government of neglecting peoples' problems. 
Former Mayor T Krishna Reddy reached Indira Park by a bullock card. MLA 
Sayanna, MLC Ch Babu Rajendra Prasad, former MLA K Prasanna and many party 
leaders  took part in the agiration.

http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/16/stories/2008071659030300.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Vijayawada

Left, TDP protest against milk price hike
Special Correspondent
PHOTO: RAJU. V

For a fair deal: Activists of Telugu Desam Party and Left parties stopping 
milk vans at Nehru Bomma Centre in One Town area in the city on Tuesday. -
VIJAYAWADA: Activists of the two major Left parties -- the CPI and the CPI 
(M) -- and the Telugu Desam Party staged a dharna in front of the Krishna 
Milk Union parlour at the Lenin Centre to register their protest against the 
hike in milk price to customers here on Tuesday.
Addressing the activists, CPI city secretary K. Subba Raju said the people 
were already overburdened by the skyrocketing prices of essential 
commodities and the increase of milk price by the union was like the 
proverbial 'last straw' that broke the camel's back. Mr. Subba Raju demanded 
the union to roll back the increase. CPI (M) State committee member Ch. Babu 
Rao urged the union to roll back the hike before there was a revolt from the 
general public. TDP urban general secretary Nagul Meera said the primary 
duty of a cooperative society was to provide milk and milk products at a 
reasonable price.
In a continuation of the protest against the price rise, the activists of 
the three different parties stopped vans transporting milk to various booths 
in the city in the afternoon. CPI activists stopped vans at Sitara Theatre 
Centre in Bhavanipuram under the leadership of former corporator Kaparthi 
Lakshman Rao. Milk union vans were stopped by CPI (M) and TDP activists at a 
few other places in the city.
Meanwhile, PCC executive member Kolanukonda Sivaji in a statement alleged 
that the State government and APDDCF could not be made accountable for the 
hike in milk price.

http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/12/stories/2008071260020800.htm

Other States - Puducherry

PMC to hold protest rally
Staff Reporter
PUDUCHERRY: The Puducherry Munnetra Congress will organise a protest rally 
on July 19 to highlight the failure of the Congress government in Puducherry 
to control price of essential commodities, founder leader of the party P 
Kannan said on Friday.
He told reporters that though several State governments had taken 
appropriate measures to curb increase in the price of essential commodities, 
the administration had not dealt with the issue.

http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/10/stories/2008071059470300.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Protest against price rise
Staff Reporter
BANGALORE: Members of the Swadeshi Jagaran Manch staged a demonstration in 
the city on Wednesday against the rise of prices of essential commodities.
They urged the Government to purchase the commodities from wholesale market 
and distribute it through the public distribution system (PDS) to the poor 
consumers.
The protesters who staged the demonstration in front of Town Hall raised 
slogans against the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) and that 
mindless globalisation had resulted in the steep rise in inflation rate.
The inflation rate that had reached an alarming level of above 11.45 per 
cent had driven prices of foodgrains, pulses, fruits and vegetables sharply, 
and had made these commodities expensive to the common man, they said.
A release said that during eight months between August 2007 and March 2008, 
the price of coconut oil had risen by 61 per cent while the price of 
groundnut oil increased by 71 per cent.
Further, the price of maize had gone up by 54 per cent, price of rice had 
increased by 72 per cent and wheat price had gone up by 74 per cent.
In the light of the increase, Union Government should take steps to prevent 
the death of poor consumers on account of price rise.

http://story.indiagazette.com/index.php/ct/9/cid/701ee96610c884a6/id/391454/cs/1/

Protesters take out semi nude march against inflation in New Delhi
India Gazette
Thursday 7th August, 2008
(ANI)
New Delhi, August 7 : A group of protesters took out a semi nude march here 
today to demonstrate against the rising prices of basic commodities.

Activists of Indian Justice Party marched on Delhi roads wearing neckties 
over underpants, which were covered with plant leaves, and took out a 
demonstration against the United Progressive Alliance (UPA)-led central 
government for failing to curb inflation.

The protesters lamented the alleged apathy on the part of the central 
government in failing to control the rising prices of basic commodities 
making it difficult for people to make the ends meet.

"The protest is against the price hike. It is getting difficult for people 
to survive in this country in the wake of inflation. The government is not 
concerned are not worried about the woes of the common man," said Ram Kishan 
Saini, a protester.

Inflation rate, is ruling at a 13-year high, just below 12 per cent in the 
country.

Last week, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) raised its short-term lending 
rate by half a percentage point to nine per cent, citing inflation concerns.

http://www.voanews.com/english/archive/2008-04/2008-04-22-voa68.cfm?CFID=22367105&CFTOKEN=67470185

Afghans Protest Skyrocketing Food Prices
By VOA News
22 April 2008

Hundreds of people, angry over rising cost of food, block a key road 
connecting Jalalabad to Kabul, demand action from the government to bring 
down prices
Hundreds of people angry over the rising cost of food demonstrated in 
eastern Afghanistan Tuesday.
Protesters blocked a key road connecting the town of Jalalabad to the 
capital, Kabul. They demanded action from the government to bring down 
skyrocketing prices.
Earlier, the Afghan government announced it is setting aside $50 million to 
buy wheat from other countries, including Kazakhstan and neighboring 
Pakistan.
Many demonstrators expressed anger with Pakistan - upon which Afghans are 
heavily reliant for food imports. Pakistan has recently slowed its exports 
due to its own concerns about rising food prices.
Elsewhere, in the western Afghan province of Herat, authorities say they 
believe militants have abducted two foreign employees of a U.S. security 
company.
Police say an Indian and a Nepalese worker disappeared Monday evening while 
traveling in the Adraskan district. Their driver also is missing.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/01/world/americas/01PERU.html?_r=1&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&oref=slogin

In Peru Protest, Women Urge Action on Food Prices

By REUTERS
Published: May 1, 2008
LIMA, Peru (Reuters) - More than 1,000 women protested outside Peru's 
Congress on Wednesday, banging empty pots and pans to demand that the 
government do more to counter rising food prices, which are squeezing the 
poor worldwide.
The women, some toting small children on their hips, run food kitchens, 
known as eating halls, for the poor.
The meals the eating halls serve are subsidized by the government, but the 
women say they are struggling to provide enough food and want the government 
to increase financial aid so they can cover their costs.
Hundreds of thousands of people rely on the eating halls each day in Peru, 
where about 12 million people, or 42 percent of the population, live in 
poverty.
The rising cost for basic foods sank President Alan García's approval rating 
to 26 percent this month, the lowest level since he took office in 2006. 
This month, weeks after cutting taxes on food imports, Mr. García started 
sending the army to hand out free bags of food in the poorest neighborhoods 
here in the capital.
"Food prices keep on rising, and the government doesn't pay attention to the 
eating halls," said María Bozeta, director of one of three associations that 
represent eating halls in Lima.
"The pot is empty, García!" the women chanted as they wound their way toward 
Congress in downtown Lima.

http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?from=rss_South%20America&set_id=1&click_id=122&art_id=nw20080409073024611C170946

Violent protests in Haiti

    April 09 2008 at 08:00AM

Port-au-Prince - Blue-helmet UN peacekeepers were called in on Tuesday to 
protect Haiti's presidential palace after violent demonstrations against 
high food and fuel prices broke out in the capital.

At least five people have been killed by gunfire since the protests erupted 
last week, according to an unofficial count. On Tuesday at least eight 
people were rushed to the city's public hospital with bullet wounds, medical 
sources told AFP.

Haitian police clashed with protesters Tuesday and fired in the air to 
prevent them from breaking into the presidential palace building, witnesses 
said.

By midday a dozen armoured vehicles manned by Brazilian soldiers under the 
United Nations peacekeeping mission (MINUSTAH) took position around the 
whitewashed palace, firing in the air and hurling tear gas canisters to keep 
the protesters at bay, witnesses said.

President Rene Preval asked UN peacekeepers to shore up security around the 
palace, MINUSTAH spokesperson Sophie Boutaud de la Combe told AFP.

The UN peacekeepers also beat back protesters that were heading to the 
city's international airport.

The protests began last week after a sudden jump in fuel and basic food 
commodity prices in the poor country of 8,5 million.

Two reporters as well as a photographer and a cameraman were wounded by 
rubber bullets fired by MINUSTAH forces, the sources told AFP.

One journalist had his car's windows shattered and was attacked by a mob of 
youths that sacked an Air France office, an AFP reporter said.

"People can keep protesting but they have to respect the property of 
others," Public Security Secretary Luc Euchere told reporters.

Protests also broke out in the Carrefour quarter on the south side of the 
capital.

"Living conditions are horrible. We are tired of hearing promises, we want 
fast action," said a protester named Wilson, 25.

Prime Minister Jacques-Edouard Alexis condemned the protests while 
acknowledging the source of the discontent.

On Monday Alexis announced a $42-million programme to ease the situation, 
including the creation of thousands of jobs for youth and small business 
grants.

"These measures take time. We need to have patience," he said on a radio 
station in the capital.

In the city of Cayes on Monday, thousands of protesters attacked the home of 
legislator Gabriel Fortune, who was rescued by UN troops and evacuated to 
the capital.

Fortune said the protesters were "manipulated by drug deals and the Lavalas 
party" of former president Jean-Bertrand Aristide, who has lived in exile in 
South Africa since 2004. - Sapa-AFP

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2008/04/13/2003409155

Bangladeshi rioters condemn prices, women's rights

AFP AND DPA, DHAKA
Sunday, Apr 13, 2008, Page 5

A police officer kicks a protester during a demonstration against gender 
equality in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Friday.
PHOTO :AP
About 10,000 garment workers rioted yesterday close to the Bangladeshi 
capital Dhaka, smashing cars and buses and vandalizing factories in anger at 
high food prices and low wages, police said.
Police fired tear gas and used batons to break up the protests and at least 
28 people were injured.
The textile workers went on the rampage in Fatullah, some 20km south of 
Dhaka, demanding better pay amid soaring rice prices, police Inspector Nasir 
Ahmed said.
He said they wrecked cars and buses, attacked factories, and hurled bricks 
and stones at police who were forced to retaliate with tear gas.
Most of the injured were police officers, he added.
Police sub-inspector Shafiqul Islam said the rampage involved around 10,000 
workers from several garment factories, adding: "They became unruly 
demanding higher wages, saying their current wages don't even meet basic 
food needs."
The government says that food prices, notably the staple rice, have doubled 
in the last year, caused by a massive shortfall in production after 
devastating floods and a cyclone last year.
The unrest in Bangladesh was the latest incident of the fallout of mounting 
food prices.
At least five people have died in similar protests over high food and fuel 
prices in Haiti, while disturbances have rocked Egypt, Cameroon, Ethiopia, 
the Philippines, Indonesia and other countries in the past month.
Meanwhile, thousands of militant Islamists threw stones at police and other 
auxiliary forces as violence erupted for a second day on Friday around the 
national mosque in central Dhaka, leaving more than 70 people injured, 
officials and witnesses said.
Street battles broke out as police in armored cars fired teargas to disrupt 
rallies and chase protesters off the roads in downtown Dhaka.
Angry mobs torched police jeeps and motorbikes during the demonstration.
The violence spread to the country's principal port city of Chittagong, 
where hundreds of Islamic students were involved in attacking vehicles, 
shops and other businesses.
Students of local madrassas also set up barricades on the highway connecting 
the southeastern commercial hub with the capital Dhaka.
"We will oppose any measure to improve the lot of women which goes against 
the injunctions of the holy Koran," said Mufti Fazlul Huq Amini who heads a 
large madrassa in the private sector.
In Dhaka, protesters took shelter in mosques as police followed them with 
swinging batons.
About 120 protesters were injured in the two days of clashes, prominent 
Islamic cleric Shaikul Hadith Allama Azizul Huq said, claiming at least 25 
people were arrested during the violence in Dhaka.
The protesters, belonging to the committee for the prevention of anti-Koran 
laws, are accusing the interim government of trying to alter the inheritance 
rights of men and women in order to bring about gender equality, which is 
said to be contrary to Islamic injunctions.
The government has denied any such move in a proposed women development 
policy that had been recently circulated in order to elicit public opinion.
Nearly 5,000 extra policemen were deployed in the congested squatter 
colonies in southern Dhaka and several sensitive installations, deputy 
district administrator Nahid Ahmad said.
The demonstration, banned under a state of emergency proclaimed last 
January, was called by the Islamic clerics who are opposed to any change in 
the Muslim inheritance laws considered by many development analysts as 
biased against female inheritors.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view/20080606-141012/Street-protests-vs-rice-prices-start

 Street protests vs rice prices start
By Inquirer Mindanao
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 00:31:00 06/06/2008
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - Children of street vendors joined their parents in a 
noise barrage here Wednesday to express their dismay over not being able to 
go to school because of the high price of rice.
"We can't continue attending school anymore because our parents' income are 
only enough to buy rice," said one placard held by a 9-year-old boy, who 
stopped going to school.
The protest was held even as Mayor Constantino Jaraula announced that the 
National Food Authority (NFA) would soon sell rice in villages to ease the 
queue in market-based NFA outlets.
Members of the Coalition for the Recognition and Empowerment of Street 
Vendors Association (Cresva) said despite the assurance from government 
officials on the availability of cheap rice, they staged the noise barrage 
because prices continued to soar.
Some rice varieties are now being sold for P54 per kg here.
Banging empty pots and shouting "We are going hungry!", vendors urged the 
government to release funds for rice subsidy and blamed corruption for their 
misery.
Efie Medio, Cresva chair, said at least 20 percent of the group's members 
will stop sending their children to school this year because most of their 
day's income is only enough to buy rice for two meals.
"Education has become our least priority. We only earn more or less P100 per 
day and half of that is spent for only 1 kilo of rice. There's just not 
enough money to send our children to school," he said.
The Department of Education regional office has not released official 
enrollment figures but parents enrolling their children in the City Central 
School here observed a low turnout.
"Many of my neighbors did not enroll at least one of their children," said 
Erlinda Dumayon, mother of a Grade 5 pupil.
Teachers said some pupils who they were expecting to turn up for enrollment 
did not come.
But they said there was still time to enroll next week and other pupils may 
just be waiting for the last day before they list up for the school year.
In Cotabato City, the NFA said it would start flooding the markets with 
cheap government rice this week to pull down the price of commercial rice.
Similar moves were also being done in Southern Mindanao, a rice-producing 
region where prices of commercial rice had gone past the P50 level in recent 
days.
But while prices of commercial rice were skyrocketing, organic rice was 
being sold in Davao City for P35 per kg.
At the 5th Street Café, which sells organic rice, the queue was surprisingly 
short, unlike in NFA stores.
"I like the rice here. It's cheap compared to the rice sold at the stores 
and at NFA stalls. My grandchildren also like the taste of the rice here.the 
store owner told me that it's chemical free," 67-year-old Carmen Duarte, a 
rice cake vendor from Toril district, said.
Tina Delima, marketing officer of the Sustainable Integrated Area 
Development in Mindanao Convergence for Asset Reform and Regional 
Development (Siad-Simcarrd), said more and more people have discovered 
organic rice.
In another store selling organic rice - the Bios Dynamis Health Food 
Center - the demand for organic rice has also surprisingly increased since 
the prices of commercial rice soared.
May Fabiolas, store keeper of Bios Dynamis, said from June 1-5, they have 
already sold about 100 bags of rice, or close to a month's rice 
distribution.
"There was really a significant increase because of the affordability of the 
rice we are selling. And people are also starting to recognize the 
importance of eating organic rice," Fabiolas said.
Bios Dynamis, along Quimpo Boulevard here, is being run by the Don Bosco 
Foundation for Sustainable Development, Inc. (DBFSD), a nongovernment 
organization promoting organic farming in Mindanao.
Tom Villarin, executive director of the Siad-Simcarrd, explained the low 
prices.
"Our inputs did not go up - like the organic fertilizer, which is only P195 
per sack. The seeds that are traditional are kept by the farmers and the 
communal irrigation in the upland farms did not need irrigation," Villarin 
said.
In Davao del Sur, a farmers' group lambasted the Department of Agriculture 
(DA) for blaming farmers for the soaring rice prices. Ma. Cecilia Rodriguez, 
Charlie Señase, Orlando Dinoy, Jeffrey Tupas, Ryan Rosauro, Chris 
Panganiban, Ma. Cecilia Rodriguez, Aquiles Zonio and Eldie S. Aguirre with a 
report from Joselle R. Badilla, Inquirer Mindanao

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/103410/Militants-gather-at-Rotonda-to-protest-high-cost-of-living

Militants gather at Rotonda to protest high cost of living
06/26/2008 | 01:59 PM
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MANILA, Philippines - Members of militant groups gathered at the Mabuhay 
Rotonda at the boundary of Manila and Quezon City Thursday afternoon to 
protest the continued high cost of living.

Radio dzBB's Rowena Salvacion reported that the militants described the 
increasing oil and food prices, coupled with low wages and income, as a 
"delubyo sa Hunyo (storm in June)."

"Typhoon Frank may have already left the country after devastating several 
provinces and claiming hundreds of lives. But the more destructive economic 
crisis - increasing prices, low wages, lack of jobs - is here to stay and 
will continue to wreak havoc on our people as long the government continues 
to adhere to its wrong economic policies," said Bayan spokesman in a 
statement.

Joining the protest were the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), Kilusang 
Mayo Uno (KMU), Pinagkaisang Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide 
(Piston), Kadamay, and Anakbayan.

The groups paraded wooden push carts depicting the pressing economic 
problems facing the country today.

A Bayan statement said the pushcarts symbolized high prices, low wages and 
unemployment, demolition, landlessness and food crisis, lack of social 
services, foreign plunder of natural resources, onerous taxes, and others.

The militant groups were to march from the Rotonda to Plaza Miranda in 
Manila's Quiapo district.

Bayan said anti-people economic policies of the regime stemmed from rich 
countries led by the US and the multilateral institutions they control, such 
as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, and World Trade 
Organization (WTO), among others.

"Using foreign loans and grants as leverage, like the $216 million that the 
Bush administration committed to the Philippines during Arroyo's latest US 
visit, rich countries are able to dictate national economic policies 
favorable to them but burdensome for the people. This supposed foreign aid 
also worsens the country's debt burden that the people shoulder through more 
taxes and less social services," it said.

"We hold Gloria Arroyo and her foreign masters accountable for the hardships 
that our people are forced to shoulder everyday. Her anti-people policies of 
privatization, deregulation, and
liberalization have pushed up the prices of goods and services, destroyed 
jobs and livelihood, and compromised the country's long-term economic 
development," Padilla said.

Bayan added government even makes money from the poverty of the people 
through its collection of onerous taxes such as the oppressive 12 percent 
value added tax (VAT) that contributes to exorbitant prices and 
deteriorating poverty.

It noted that since the start of the year, the pump price of diesel has 
already jumped by P12.54 per liter; unleaded, P13.51; and kerosene, P13.53.

Food prices rose by 14 percent in May, with rice soaring by 32 percent.

Overall inflation, or the rate with which prices of basic goods and services 
is increasing, has reached a nine year in May.

Costs of living already reached P858 per day while the daily minimum wage 
(including the cost of living allowance) of workers has remained low at P382 
in spite of a recent wage hike order.

"Arroyo must not be surprised if the people suddenly storm Malacañang like a 
raging typhoon. People's outrage due to hunger and poverty and further 
fueled by Arroyo's corruption will be like a perfect storm that will sweep 
away the anti-people regime," said Padilla.

Bayan reiterated more than alms and subsidies, urgent policy reforms are 
needed to provide relief to the people battered by escalating cost of 
living.

These reforms include the cancellation of the VAT on oil and power, 
imposition of price controls, and substantial increase in the minimum wage, 
it said. - GMANews.TV

http://www.stuff.co.nz/4494023a12.html

Protests in Bangladesh over water shortage
Reuters | Thursday, 24 April 2008
Hundreds of people took part in protests in the Bangladeshi capital against 
a shortage of drinking water, witnesses said, defying a ban on such 
demonstrations.
A falling water table and lack of power to run water pumps has led to a 
serious shortfall of drinking water in Dhaka, a city of 11 million, 
officials said.
"How can we pump enough water while there is no electricity to run the 
pumps," said an official with the Dhaka water and sewerage authority.
"Many pumps remain shut or cannot operate up to their capacities because of 
shortage of power," said the official who asked not to be identified.
Hundreds of residents, carrying empty water cans, gathered in the streets 
demanding an end to the water and power shortages that have in the past 
sparked violent protests.
Authorities have asked the army to help supervise the distribution of water 
in the city.
Bangladesh is governed by an army-backed interim administration that has 
under a state of emergency imposed last year banned all public protests.
"The situation is turning from bad to worse every day, we stand in long 
queues for hours for water," said rickshaw-puller Mohammad Salam outside a 
roadside water pump.
His wife and children were also standing in queues elsewhere in the city to 
obtain water.
The Dhaka Water and Sewerage Authority is supplying 1.50 billion litres of 
water a day against a demand of 2.25 billion litres due to frequent power 
cuts and a fall in groundwater level, officials said.
Some 86 per cent of the capital's water supply comes from underground 
sources but declining groundwater levels at the rate of three metres each 
year has worsened the situation.
A power official said the daily shortage of electricity in the city had 
soared to 1500 megawatts because of lack of enough natural gas to run power 
plants.
"We have to cut down power production in several plants as Petrobangla is 
supplying up to 700 mmcf gas daily against our demand of 846 mmcf," said 
Saiful Hasan Chowdhury, a deputy director at the Power Development Board.
The situation is still worse in the countryside with power only available 
for a few hours each day.
Barely 40 per cent of the country's more than 140 million people have access 
to power. Power shortages often spark protests in impoverished Bangladesh.
More than 20 people, mostly farmers, were killed in clashes with police, 
mostly in northern Bangladesh in 2006, during demonstrations demanding 
adequate power for irrigation.

http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/18/stories/2008051858110300.htm

Residents stage protest for water
Staff Reporter
Bangalore: Residents of Domlur second stage staged a demonstration in front 
of the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) office in the area 
on Saturday demanding regular water supply.
Carrying empty vessels and buckets, they marched from Kalki Mandir to the 
BWSSB office, where they held the protest for more than one hour.
While adjoining areas got regular water supply, residents of second stage 
had to buy water, complained C.G. Sharma.
Ninge Gowda, Assistant Executive Engineer, BWSSB, Domlur, pacified the 
residents by assuring that "from tomorrow, water will be supplied on 
alternate days," while blaming summer for the shortage.

http://www.dawn.com/2008/04/24/int21.htm

Protests in Dhaka over water shortage

DHAKA: Hundreds of people staged protests in the Bangladeshi capital on 
Wednesday against a shortage of drinking water, witnesses said, defying a 
ban on such demonstrations.A falling water table and lack of power to run 
water pumps has led to a serious shortfall of drinking water in Dhaka, a 
city of 11 million, officials said.

"How can we pump enough water while there is no electricity to run the 
pumps," said an official with the Dhaka water and sewerage authority.

"Many pumps remain shut or cannot operate up to their capacities because of 
shortage of power," said the official who asked not to be identified.

Hundreds of residents, carrying empty water cans, gathered in the streets 
demanding an end to the water and power shortages that have in the past 
sparked violent protests.

Authorities have asked the army to help supervise the distribution of water 
in the city. Bangladesh is governed by an army-backed interim administration 
that has under a state of emergency imposed last year banned all public 
protests.

"The situation is turning from bad to worse every day, we stand in long 
queues for hours for water," said rickshaw-puller Mohammad Salam outside a 
roadside water pump.

His wife and children were also standing in queues elsewhere in the city to 
obtain water. The Dhaka Water and Sewerage Authority is supplying 1.50 
billion litres of water a day against a demand of 2.25 billion litres due to 
frequent power cuts and a fall in groundwater level, officials said.

Some 86 per cent of the capital's water supply comes from underground 
sources but declining groundwater levels at the rate of three metres each 
year has worsened the situation.

A power official said the daily shortage of electricity in the city had 
soared to 1,500 megawatts because of lack of enough natural gas to run power 
plants.

"We have to cut down power production in several plants as Petrobangla is 
supplying up to 700 mmcf gas daily against our demand of 846 mmcf," said 
Saiful Hasan Chowdhury, a deputy director at the Power Development Board.

The situation is still worse in the countryside with power only available 
for a few hours each day. Barely 40 per cent of the country's more than 140 
million people have access to power. Power shortages often spark protests in 
impoverished Bangladesh.

More than 20 people, mostly farmers, were killed in clashes with police, 
mostly in northern Bangladesh in 2006, during demonstrations demanding 
adequate power for irrigation.-Reuters
http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=112510

Lyari residents protest against water shortage Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Karachi

The residents of Karo Lane, Lyari Town, staged a protest demonstration 
against the city government outside the Karachi Press Club on Tuesday, as 
they had been without water since last one week.

The residents were shouting slogans against the government saying that 
despite an additional supply of 6 million gallons of water announced by the 
City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal, Karo Lane had been facing water scarcity.

The residents demanded of the provincial minister for local government who 
also heads Water Board, Agha Siraj Durrani, to personally take notice of the 
serious situation.

They also informed the elected MPAs and MNA of the area that residents of 
Karo lane were without water for last several days, which had inflamed the 
situation, and people would come out on the streets, which may precipitate a 
law and order situation.

They have also started a signature drive of the affected citizens which will 
be sent to the provincial Minister, city Nazim, Chief Secretary, Sindh, and 
the Town Nazim further saying that contaminated and mixing of water has 
given birth to epidemics in the area. This happens due to the gross 
negligence of the concerned engineers of the KWSB, they said.

They asked the concerned authorities to take drastic steps for the supply of 
potable water to the area residents or they would come out on the streets in 
protest and the responsibility would lie squarely upon the shoulders of the 
authorities, they warned.

The City Nazim, they said, had increased the quota up to 20 million gallons 
daily (mgd), yet the water shortage problem in this area persisted as 
certain elements had created hurdles. Lyari has been suffering from scarcity 
of water for long.

Therefore, the City Government allotted the maximum quota from the K-III 
project. Before this Lyari was supplied water through three different lines 
and still there were complaints about non-supply of water in some areas.

In a signature drive campaign, they said that conspiracies were hatched by 
certain elements to halt the process of development.

http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/16/stories/2008071651900300.htm

Tamil Nadu

CPI cadre stage protest against erratic water supply
Staff Reporter
- Photo: N. Bashkaran

Voicing their protest: Cadre of the Communist Party of India staging a 
demonstration on Rayakottai road, Krishnagiri, on Tuesday.
Krishnagiri: Cadres of the Communist Party of India (CPI) staged a 
demonstration in front of the Block Development Office here on Tuesday 
protesting against erratic water supply at Palakuri, Kodiyur, Melkottai, 
Rajkottai and Bellarampalli in Ittikal Agaram panchayat. Residents in the 
area were put to untold hardships, as the local body had not initiated any 
steps to provide basic amenities including protected drinking water.
The cadres claimed that the local body had not supplied water to several 
parts in the panchayat for the past two weeks.
The cadres demanded uniform supply of water to all villages in Ittikal 
Agaram panchayat. They wanted the local body to sort out the problems in the 
drinking water distribution network. The residents had represented these 
issues to the panchayat officials and the ward councillor on several 
occasions. But the pleas fell on deaf ears, they claimed. They urged the 
district administration to take steps to provide potable drinking water to 
the residents. District secretary, CPI, S. Kannu led the protest.