[Onthebarricades] Fuel price protests, global South, Apr-Aug 2008

[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/

*  GLOBAL:  Two killed as fuel crisis escalates
*  HONDURAS:  Bus drivers in unrest over fuel prices
*  PHILIPPINES:  Price hike sparks protests - Shell offices tomatoed, march 
on public square
*  INDIA:  Protests across the country over price hike
*  MALAYSIA:  Thousands join opposition protests
*  INDONESIA:  Students fight police in price protest; protests in several 
cities
*  CHILE:  Truckers ditch loads, may strike over prices
*  INDIA, Karnataka:  "Life normal" despite fuel strike
*  INDIA, West Bengal:  "Total shutdown" in fuel strike
*  INDIA, Kollam:  Strike and chain of protests, rail blockade
*  INDIA, Guntur:  Activists tow cars, bikes
*  BOLIVIA, CHILE:  Truckers protest
*  INDIA, Andhra Pradesh:  Spontaneous protests
*  INDIA:  Left protests fuel price rise
*  KASHMIR:  Police attack fuel price protesters
*  THAILAND:  Cost of living protests target food, fuel
*  PAKISTAN:  Islamists protest fuel prices
*  ASSAM:  General strike over fuel price
*  NEPAL:  Students protest fuel prices, block roads, target govt buildings
*  HONG KONG:  Drivers stage fuel price protest
*  INDIA, Kannur:  March to railway station
*  INDIA, Tamil Nadu:  Protests in several towns
*  THAILAND:  Farm trucks join protest
*  MALAYSIA:  Fuel protests continue
*  INDIA, Tamil Nadu:  Left strike shuts down textile factories; buses 
damaged
*  INDIA, Kerala:  Bus drivers protest
*  INDIA, Mumbai:  Rightist protesters clash with police, attack buses
*  INDIA, Madurai:  Rightists push car in cart
*  INDIA, New Delhi:  Fuel protests hit markets, rail, roads
*  INDIA, Chandigarh:  Dissident attacked by police over fuel price "antics"
*  INDIA, Chennai:  Traders protest
*  COTE D'IVOIRE:  Go-slow, shutdown over fuel prices; prices slashed

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2008/jun2008/fuel-j13.shtml

Two truck drivers killed as European and Asian fuel protests spread
By Paul Mitchell
13 June 2008

Two truck drivers, one in Spain and the other in Portugal, have been killed 
during protests against fuel price increases that have rocked Europe as well 
as Asia.
The disputes involving fishermen and farmers, as well as truckers, have 
become increasingly bitter.
Self-employed truck driver Julio Cervilla Soto was killed outside the Merca 
Granada wholesale market in Granada, when a van he was trying to stop ran 
over him. A Portuguese trucker died when trying to stop a lorry in the town 
of Alcanena, north of the capital Lisbon.
The strike is being waged by self-employed truck drivers, who make up an 
estimated 20 percent of Spain's 380,000-strong total. They say that the 
larger companies are better placed to offset the 36 percent fuel price 
increase over the last year by lowering their charges.
Juan Antonio, who owns two trucks, told El Pais, "I get 85 cents per 
kilometre. Of that, around 50 cents goes on diesel. On top of that, we have 
to pay social security, the driver and maintenance. Just changing the tyres, 
something that has to be done once a year, costs 6,000 euros."
Alberto added, "You want me to tell you how the price of diesel affects me? 
I went to pay for my breakfast this morning, but my bank account was empty. 
That's how it affects me. It makes no difference to me to be stuck here, 
because I wouldn't be earning much more if I was working."
Socialist Party Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero has offered the 
truckers emergency loans and an early retirement package, but refuses to 
guarantee the minimum tariff they demand, saying that it would be illegal 
under European Union competition legislation.
Minister for the Interior Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba said more than 50 people 
had been arrested since the beginning of the strike and that the government 
had mobilised more than 25,000 police to break up blockades and escort 
lorries and would act with "maximum force and maximum firmness."
"The security forces will act resolutely to keep roads clear and ensure that 
basic products are distributed," Rubalcaba added.
Since the strike began, supplies of fresh meat, fish and fruit to Madrid 
have come to a halt and panic buying has left hundreds of petrol stations 
empty in the capital, Barcelona, and other major cities. Auto manufacturers 
have had to cut production, hit by their reliance on "just-in-time" supply 
chains; ferry companies have cancelled many sailings to the Balearic Islands 
and Palma; and more than half of the construction sites in Málaga province 
are reported to be at a standstill.
The government has called in riot police to break up the protests in the 
cities and open up the border crossings. Foreign lorry drivers at the La 
Jonquera frontier with France claimed that they have been held hostage there 
for two days without food or water. At the Irún border crossing, Basque 
police arrested two pickets, accusing them of threatening the driver of a 
van with a screwdriver
Some 21 people were injured in Almería, 13 of them policemen, during a 
battle outside the city council offices involving at least 2,500 farmers 
demanding a reduction in the tax charged on diesel. In Seville, nearly 30 
people were injured, including 8 policemen in fights outside the Andalucian 
parliament where there were 7 arrests.
In Alicante, a 43-year-old non-striking driver whose truck was set on fire 
whilst he was sleeping in it on an industrial estate in San Isidro suffered 
second-degree burns to a quarter of his body. Lorries were also set on fire 
in Murcia in south and in Arazuri in the north.
On Wednesday, protesting fishermen burned tyres in the northwestern 
Pontevedra region, temporarily blocking a bridge to Portugal, and others 
trying to enter the Galician regional parliament fought with police in 
Santiago de Compostela.
In Portugal, latest reports suggest lorry drivers who have been on strike 
since Monday have now ended their action and accepted a package of measures 
negotiated with the government. As in Spain, shops began to run out of fresh 
food and long queues built up at petrol stations. The main airport in Lisbon 
ran out of aviation fuel, and fishermen blockaded the Guadiana Bridge that 
links the south of the country with Spain.
>From June 1 to June 3, there was a nation-wide boycott of BP, Galp and 
Repsol garages in protest against the record profits they have just 
announced.
Prime Minister José Socrates has refused to take any action against rising 
prices and simply called for installation of motorway signs displaying 
petrol prices at various service stations and the creation of a fuel price 
web site. He added that people should wait until the minimum wage is 
increased in 2009.
Elsewhere in Europe, thousands of truckers across Poland stopped work on 
Wednesday to protest rising costs. The regional protest coordinator in 
southern Silesia, Rajmund Nierychlo, said, "The protest involved not only 
trucks, but also vans, buses, taxies as well as urban transport in general. 
All road vehicles."
Besides rising fuel prices, the truckers are also complaining about the high 
cost of toll fees on motorways contracted out to private companies, the long 
time it takes to cross the border into the countries to the east of the 
European Union, and the competition from these countries, which receive much 
cheaper fuel from Russia.
Fuel market expert Andrzej Szczesniak explained, "Regarding the prices of 
fuel and taxes, one shouldn't compare us to the rest of Europe, but rather 
to our eastern neighbours. Polish drivers, I mean big trucks and commercial 
transport, are competing mostly with very cheap fuel and a cheap workforce 
from the east. And if you compare Polish prices of diesel with Belarus, 
Ukraine or Russia, we are absolutely non-competitive. The second thing is 
that compared to other countries of the so-called New Europe, we are not in 
a good position because our [Polish] taxes are the highest. And the third 
problem is that VAT at 22 percent-the tax which is very high in Poland-is 
not deductible (from running costs)."
In Scotland, farmers, fishermen and truckers are meeting to discuss possible 
further action following a protest outside the Scottish parliament in 
Edinburgh earlier this week. David McCutcheon, managing director of haulage 
company Bullet Express and leader of the protest, said, "There is anger and 
frustration, and things will start getting out of hand when firms start 
going out of business"
"People are prepared to take militant action. The Spanish are blocking roads 
and it will come to that here eventually. This country is heading for 
meltdown and a general strike.
"This is not just a bunch of truck-drivers looking after their own ends. We're 
out to fight the cost of fuel, which is affecting the whole economy."
A protest is planned in London next month, by which time hundreds of tanker 
drivers working for haulage firms employed by Shell may have gone on strike 
in protest at their pay being worth no more now than in 1992, despite 
working 11 hours more each week.
Dutch lorry drivers also took part in a go-slow protest on Thursday.
Asia
In India, a one-day strike called by the Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers 
Federation to protest against the previous week's 10 percent fuel price rise 
shut shops and banks in the state of Jammu-Kashmir. "We express utter dismay 
over the rise of essential commodities, petrol, diesel and cooking gas, and 
urge people to observe a complete strike on June 11," the group said in a 
statement.
The action coincided with the third day of a strike called by the state's 
transport operators demanding an increase in fares and freight charges. 
Kashmir Motor Drivers Association President Ghulam Muhammad Bhat said, 
"Transport fares have not been revised here since 2005 while oil prices have 
increased manifold during this period. This has put us under tremendous 
pressure as we are incurring continuous losses."
"We had informed the government about the price rise of so many automobile 
spare parts, but they did not respond to our repeated calls. And the recent 
unprecedented hike in petrol and diesel forced us to go on a strike to press 
for our demands," Bhat added.
During the strike, protesters hurled stones at the car of a top elected 
state official, Manzoor Ahmed, and paramilitary soldiers fired tear gas and 
used batons to preventing them marching to Srinagar, the state's summer 
capital. At least two dozen employees were detained after hundreds of 
government employees affiliated to the Employees Joint Action Committee and 
many lawyers protested outside the Civil Secretariat.
In Malaysia, the largest oil producer in Asia, opposition groups are 
planning mass protests against a 41 percent rise in fuel prices last week to 
2.70 ringgit (US$0.87) a litre (US$3.30 a gallon). Prime Minister Abdullah 
Ahmad Badawi tried to defuse opposition saying, "The government feels that 
the people are still trying to adjust to the high oil price situation" and 
promised that there would be no further increase in prices this year.
Shamsul Iskandar Akin, a leader of the GERAMM youth coalition against oil 
price rises, rejected Abdullah's pledge and said the increase had led prices 
to rise in food and transport and caused further hardship for the poor. A 
march is planned today to the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, where 
the state monopoly Petronas is headquartered. Police warned that no permit 
had been issued for a demonstration and people would be arrested.
In Nepal, violent protests erupted across the country on Tuesday after the 
Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) increased fuel prices by about 25 percent 
following the price rise in India, from where it is supplied. The situation 
was exacerbated by India, which is Nepal's sole fuel supplier, cutting its 
exports to the country by 80 percent in recent week as a result of 
non-payment by the near-bankrupt NOC. Purushottam Ojha, NOC chairman, used 
the crisis to announce that private companies would now be allowed to import 
fuel "from any part of the world," ending India's monopoly. Petrol increases 
to 100 Nepali rupees (US$1.5) per litre against the old price of Rs.80 and 
diesel Rs.70 instead of Rs.56.
The Federation of Nepal National Transport Entrepreneurs issued a statement 
saying long-distance bus fares were increasing by 30 percent and 
short-distance bus and taxi fares by 35 percent.
Students burnt tyres, blocking roads in the capital and shutting down the 
East-West highway, the most important route for supplies from India. 
Demonstrations were reported from other areas in the country.
Similar protests took place last October. On at least two other occasions in 
recent months, the government tried to increase prices, but huge protests 
forced it to back down. The last attempt by the government of Girija Prasad 
Koirala to do the same on the eve of last April's election contributed to 
the defeat of his Nepali Congress Party.
In South Korea, many ports are at a standstill, blockaded by truckers who 
have voted to strike on Monday in protest at rising fuel costs. They are 
demanding lower fuel prices, increased fees for hauling freight and a 
standardised pricing system that will ensure a minimum wage. A strike at the 
country's largest port, Busan, which handles three quarters of exports, is 
holding up nearly 90 percent of container traffic.
In Thailand, thousands of truck drivers have gone on strike to protest the 
government's failure to address recent fuel price increases. Tongyu 
Kongkongkhan, secretary-general of Land Transportation Association of 
Thailand, claimed that after about 120,000 trucks had stopped working in 
several provinces on Wednesday, "We merely showed our power by parking the 
trucks on the roads, but if the government fails to meet our demand, the 
federation has decided to make June 17 D-day, when we will bring at least 
100,000 trucks into Bangkok." The federation is demanding that the 
government sell diesel to them for 3 baht (9 US cents) per litre less than 
the market price and subsidise the conversion of truck engines to cheaper 
natural gas.
The fuel crisis has also hit fishermen and farmers, with Fishing Federation 
of Thailand President Mana Sripitak saying more than half of his members' 
50,000 fishing boats are docked because of the high cost of diesel. Some 
have been burned in protest.
In Hong Kong this week, hundreds of lorry drivers marched to government 
headquarters demanding a meeting with Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-Kuen. 
Police smashed the windows of their trucks and towed them away after they 
brought the Central district to a standstill. An organiser said the 
transport sector was being crippled by fuel prices that have soared from 
HK$9.37 per litre to HK$11.61 between December and May.
"Most of those in the industry are being forced to close their businesses 
and some are [having to] sell their containers, trailers and tractors," said 
Tang Chi-Keung of the Public Omnibus Operators' Association. Thomas Tam, 
chairman of the Hong Kong Waste Disposal Industry Association, said some of 
his association's members are considering going on strike today for the 
first time in 12 years.

http://aaron-ortiz.blogspot.com/2008/05/riots-in-tegucigalpa.html

Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Riots in Tegucigalpa

Ironically, after a peace rally in San Pedro, there are riots in 
Tegucigalpa. Bus drivers are demanding an increase in fare, because of the 
rising price of fuel.
It seems Hondurans think the price of diesel is something the government can 
arbitrarily lower. But it was Mel Zelaya who misled the people during years 
ago his campaign saying that he would lower gasoline and diesel prices. Now 
he is facing the consequence. He can't deliver, and never could, and always 
knew it, let's hope.
Zelaya may have been hoping for Venezuela's help. But, the truth is, Chavez 
is drunk with power and profits; who in their right mind would reduce the 
price of oil when oil is such an excellent source of power and wealth? 
Chavez is not interested in helping the poor of Honduras. Instead he is 
interested in buying support for hos "Bolivarian" revolution.
The poorest people might not be able to afford buses anymore and be forced 
to walk. The middle classes are afraid to use buses anyway, so it doesn't 
hurt them. My advice would be for the city government to take control of 
city transport completely, replace the entire decrepit bus fleet, and hire 
the same bus drivers as state employees. In doing this, the city could use 
taxes to pay for most of the fare, and have users pay much less than the 
real cost of public transportation. This would force the bus drivers to 
drive safely, obey regulations, etc.
In Monterrey, for instance, a bus ride costs 6 to 8 pesos (12 to 16 
Lempiras). The more expensive buses have air conditioning, and comfortable 
seats. There are minibuses which are less expensive, but cramped and 
airless. Those who can afford it take the more expensive buses. Still, all 
of them are safe. People openly wear their MP3 players, cellphones, and 
watches on the bus, which is very unwise in Tegucigalpa. A mugging is very 
rare here.
Image by Gerardo Diego Ontiveros, used with a Creative Commons license

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/101058/Oil-prices-hiked-anew-Protests-up-in-M-Manila

Oil prices hiked anew; Protests up in M Manila
BY FIDEL JIMENEZ, MARK MERUEÑAS, GMANews.TV
06/13/2008 | 11:24 PM
Email this | Email the Editor | Print | Digg this | Add to del.icio.us
(Update) MANILA, Philippines - Oil companies will begin the 15th round of 
oil price increase by adding another P1.50 per liter on prices on all 
petroleum products starting Saturday morning, according to Qtv 11 News on Q 
Friday evening.

First to raise the pump prices will be the Pilipinas Shell starting 12:01 am 
Saturday.

Petron, Chevron - known as Caltex Philippines - and Unioil will raise their 
pump prices at 6 a.m Saturday.

The report added that Shell will also increase the price of LPG (Liquefied 
Petroleum Gas) by P1 per kilogram or P11 per tank.

Oil companies said the price hike is due to the continuing increase of oil 
prices in the world market.

Other oil companies meanwhile have yet to announce if they follow too.

Hours before the announcement, groups of activists, teachers, drivers, and 
concerned citizens simultaneously staged a lightning noise barrage actions 
in the cities of Quezon, Manila, and Makati to denounce surging prices of 
oil and other basic commodities.

Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes told GMANews.TV in a phone interview 
that their members gathered at the Welcome Rotonda at the border of Quezon 
City and Manila to protest another looming fuel price hike over the coming 
weekend.

"We are holding a noise barrage in anticipation of another oil price 
increase at the end of this week. The hikes have been a regular occurrence," 
Reyes said.

"Walang announcement na may hike pero ina-anticipate namin. Alam naman natin 
na marami pang kailangan i-recover ang mga oil companies," he added.

The protesters at the Rotonda numbered more than 100, according to Reyes, 
and the group was composed of Bayan members and jeepney drivers from the 
Pinagkaisang Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (Piston).

The protesters also tried blocking the path of a passing oil truck, but 
Reyes said, "peaceful naman ang pagharang ng mga nagpo-protesta (no force 
was involved)."

The Bayan, like Piston, maintains its position that the government should 
lift the Value Added Tax on petroleum prices and observe measures to control 
pump price increases.

More protests

The militant leader also said that members of the Concerned Citizens 
Movement are likewise holding a similar noise barrage in Makati City.

Meanwhile, member students activists from the League of Filipino Students 
and Anakbayan are also honking their horns and drumming up noise over at 
Katipunan Avenue in Quezon City.

Also, Reyes hinted that similar protest rallies would be staged even until 
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's State of the Nation Address in July.

"(Protest movements like this) will be a weekly event. We won't be surprised 
if this will be sustained until the SONA," Reyes said.

Education too

In Manila, the White Ribbon Movement mobilized a number of teachers and 
students and held a similar noise barrage at the Plaza Salamanca along Taft 
Avenue.

The protest movement, dubbed "Kapit-Bisig para sa Katotohanan," was meant to 
denounce corruption in the government and the rising prices of basic 
commodities as well as the surging tuition rates.

White Ribbon Movement convener Malou Santiago-Agustin also said that the 
Arroyo administration's alleged role in the botched national broadband 
network deal mess should not be left forgotten.

"We're here to let the Arroyo administration know that we're back," said 
Agustin-Santiago, who is also a professor at the Philippine Normal 
University.

Santiago noted that the worsening economic situation brought about by rising 
food and fuel prices highlighted the link between state policies that push 
people deeper into poverty and the need to fight corruption in government.

"In these times of greater economic hardship, the struggle to exact 
accountability for corruption at the highest levels of government becomes 
even more relevant, since corruption hits the poor hardest," she said.

"In these times of greater economic hardship, the struggle to exact 
accountability for corruption at the highest levels of government becomes 
even more relevant, since corruption hits the poor hardest," she added.

Aside from students from universities and colleges lying along Taft Avenue, 
members of various religious and medical groups also banded together to 
participate.- GMANews.TV

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/105278/Activists-throw-tomatoes-at-Shell-office-protest-oil-price-hike

Activists throw tomatoes at Shell office, protest oil price hike
07/05/2008 | 12:56 PM
Email this | Email the Editor | Print | Digg this | Add to del.icio.us
MANILA, Philippines - Activists led by the left-leaning umbrella group 
Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) on Saturday threw tomatoes at the office 
of Pilipinas Shell in Makati City to dramatize their protest against the new 
round of oil price increases implemented on Saturday.

Radio dzBB quoted Bayan leaders as saying that the increase was "unfair" and 
unreasonable" especially for poor Filipino consumers who were made to carry 
the burden of paying for investment losses of oil companies.

Bayan claimed that the country's oil deregulation law had allowed companies 
to raise fuel prices without them facing consequences.

"Oil companies have been raising prices with impunity under a deregulated 
regime. After 18 rounds of oil price hikes this year that bloated the price 
of diesel by P19.50, oil firms still claim under-recoveries of as much as P7 
per liter for June alone," Bayan spokesman Arnold Padilla said in a 
statement.

"Deregulation only legitimizes the abuses of the oil companies," said 
Padilla.

Also, Bayan criticized the Arroyo administration for its continued refusal 
to scrap the 12 percent value added tax (VAT) on oil, which the group 
claimed led to the further increase of fuel products.

Bayan said that with the latest price adjustments, removing the VAT on oil 
could immediately bring down the pump price of diesel by around P6.53 a 
liter; gasoline products, more than P7.26 a liter; and LPG, about P87 per 
11-kg tank, it said.

"If Malacañang is sincere in not tolerating vultures that will prey on 
consumers, then it must start with the oil giants. But we doubt if Gloria 
Arroyo has the political will to go after the oil firms when her regime also 
benefits from escalating oil prices through the VAT," Padilla said. - 
GMANews.TV

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/metro/view/20080712-148052/Mendiola-protest-vs-non-stop-oil-price-hikes

Mendiola protest vs non-stop oil price hikes

Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 14:42:00 07/12/2008
MANILA, Philippines -- Some 50 members of militant group Kilusan Para Sa 
Pambansang Demokrasya were allowed by the Manila Police District (MPD) to 
stage protest action at Mendiola bridge in Manila Saturday morning, 
authorities said.
The group, which gathered at the historic bridge at 10 a.m., protested 
against the continuous increase in oil prices.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20080718-149250/UPDATE-2-Cops-keep-youth-protesters-from-Mendiola

(UPDATE 2) Cops keep youth protesters from Mendiola
By Abigail Kwok
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 14:53:00 07/18/2008
MANILA, Philippines -- Thousands of youth-led activists were prevented by 
police from reaching the foot of Manila's historic Don Chino Roces (formerly 
Mendiola) Bridge on the approaches to Malacañang to protest the incessant 
escalation of fuel prices.
The Manila Police District had earlier deployed some 500 Manila policemen 
backed by fire trucks along Claro M. Recto Avenue and Roces bridge in 
anticipation of the rallyists.
The protesters were also blocked on Morayta Street by police armed with 
shields and batons.
Foiled, the activists headed to the Mehan Garden where they held a rally.
The young activists, many of whom had walked out of their classes, conducted 
"alternative street classes to educate the youth and to strengthen the youth 
movement in the country," said Vencer Crisostomo, national president of the 
League of Filipino Students (LFS).
"This is to create a new wave of revolutionary consciousness. Our aim is to 
conduct social analysis and political education to make known to the youth 
how corrupt and rotten our system is," Crisostomo added.
The activists had earlier converged at the Plaza Miranda in the Quiapo 
district to protest unabated oil price increases.
Friday's protest, themed "Kabataan at Bayan, Mag-aklas [Youth and people, 
rise up]," drew more than 5,000 students and out-of-school youth, Crisostomo 
said.
Crisostomo said the protest focused on "deepening political education among 
the youth to bring a bigger, stronger, more powerful youth movement that 
will confront the current ills of society."
The protesters had three demands: the scrapping of the value added tax (VAT) 
on oil; the repeal of the Oil Deregulation Law; and a legislated P125 
across-the-board wage increase.
The protesters used a truck turned into a makeshift stage where they 
presented street plays and musical performances, with the University of the 
Philippines (UP) Repertory performing a satire on how ordinary Filipinos 
resort to shortcuts to increase their incomes, including gambling and 
prostitution.
Earlier in the day, students nationwide stepped out of their classrooms to 
protest the rising prices of commodities.
In Metro Manila, students walked out of classes at the University of the 
Philippines, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, University of Santo 
Tomas, Adamson University, Far Eastern University, De La Salle University, 
and Ateneo de Manila University, among others.
Students at universities in Baguio City, Cebu City, Davao City, and the 
Negros provinces also joined the protest.
Crisostomo said the protest was meant to show government that the youth 
movement in the country is strong and for the youth to see "the truth that 
there are a few in government who are exploiting us."
He said the ultimate solution to the problem of unabated oil price increases 
is to "revolt at palawigin ang [and to strengthen the] youth movement."
Bayan Muna (People First) Representative Satur Ocampo, a veteran of 1970's 
First Quarter Storm period of unrest, shared his experiences with the 
current crop of activists.
"The problems being raised 30, 40 years ago are the same," he said.
Ocampo added that the repetitive problems are caused by "problematic state 
policies."
Although youth groups were able to obtain "small victories, these were later 
reversed by the government."
He urged the youth to expand their education and make sure they practice 
what they learned in school.
"Dapat maiugnay nila ang kanilang pinag-aralan sa university sa lessons ng 
bayan [They should be able to relate what they learned in university to the 
lessons of the nation]," he said.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/metro/view/20080710-147555/Protesting-students-barred-from-Mendiola

Protesting students barred from Mendiola
Metro students walk out vs oil price hike
By Abigail Kwok, Katherine Evangelista
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 11:31:00 07/10/2008

MANILA, Philippines -- Police foiled an attempt by student activists who 
walked out of their classrooms to protest continued oil price hikes to reach 
historic Chino Roces Bridge (formerly Mendiola), near Malacañang Palace in 
Manila, for a rally on Thursday.

The protesters, estimated by police at 200, held their program and burned an 
effigy of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on the intersection of Morayta 
and Recto streets instead, after personnel of the Manila Police District 
(MPD) barricaded the road.

MPD Station 4 commander Ricardo Layug said the protesters did not have a 
permit to stage a rally on Mendiola. Although Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim has 
reopened the foot of the bridge, once declared a no-rally zone, to protests, 
these are allowed only on weekends and holidays.

Protest organizers and police reached an agreement for the activists to hold 
an hour-long program and then disperse peacefully.

At the University of the Philippines (UP) in Diliman, youth groups expressed 
anger over the unabated increases in the prices of basic commodities.

Around 100 activists from Adamson University, UP-Manila, and Philippine 
Christian University held a short program on Manila's busy Taft Avenue then 
marched to the University of Sto. Tomas to join up with other contingents 
for the attempt to reach Mendiola.

Among the student groups that joined the protest were the National Union of 
Students of the Phil, College Editor Guild of the Phil, Kabataang Pinoy, 
Student Christian Movement, Liga ng Kabataang Moro, Youth Revolt, Anakbayan, 
Serve the People UP (STEP-UP), and League of Filipino Students.

Other contingents came from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, 
University of the East, Far Eastern University, and the Araullo, Sauyo and 
Culiat High Schools in Manila.
Similar protests were also held in Cebu, Metro Baguio, Los Baños, Davao and 
Negros Provinces, the activists said.

"Sobra na. Tama na ang pagtaas ng presyo ng mga bilihin. Galit na ang 
estudyante kaya nila inirerehistro ang kanilang galit sa administrasyong ito 
[Enough. The rise in the prices of basic commodities must stop. The students 
are angry and we are letting this administration know]," said Jacqueline 
Eroles, member of the university student council.

Students even called the recently approved fare increase a "burden to 
commuters and will not address the problems of drivers," said Vencer 
Crisostomo, president of the League of Filipino Students.

Crisostomo said what was needed was a "fare decrease," and for oil companies 
to lower their profits.

"It is a moral imperative to regulate prices. The subsidies are useless and 
insulting and capitalizing on the poor's desperation for public relations," 
he added.

Youth groups also criticized the government's refusal to scrap the value 
added tax (VAT) on oil.

Youth Revolt spokesperson Mark Louie Aquino said they have launched a 
campaign to gather at least a million signatures for a petition to repeal 
the oil deregulation law and scrap the VAT on oil. They will present the 
petition to the House of Representative and the Senate.

"President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo could easily order the cancellation of 
the 12 percent VAT on oil and decisively direct Congress to repeal the oil 
deregulation law," said Terry Ridon, spokesperson of STEP-UP and former UP 
student regent.

"The government has done nothing...it is the duty of students, to demand for 
the immediate revision of flawed government policies that caused these 
unabated rise in prices," Ridon said.

Thursday's rally is only the first in a series of student protests to assert 
their "categorical statement on the economic crisis," Ridon said, adding the 
next mass action on July 18 will be much bigger than Thursday's.

Youth activists are also gearing up to join massive protests expected on 
July 28, when Arroyo delivers her State of the Nation Address.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/metro/view_article.php?article_id=135906

Sympathy protests by other groups during strike--Piston
By Tina Santos
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 06:23pm (Mla time) 05/11/2008
MANILA, Philippines--Members of the militant transport group Pinagkaisang 
Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (Piston, United Organization of 
Drivers and Operators Nationwide) in Manila have said the transport strike 
which they will lead Monday will involve members of other transport groups 
who will take part in coordinated mass actions.
George San Mateo, secretary general of Piston, said on Sunday the transport 
strike would be a "people's strike" and would draw the support of militant 
groups representing other sectors.
"It is not just our drivers' strike, it is a people's strike," he told the 
Philippine Daily Inquirer (parent company of INQUIRER.net), adding that 
several groups representing various sectors have committed to participate in 
protest actions.
However, some jeepney drivers in the city admitted they would not join the 
protect action.
"I hope [Piston] understands, I have no other means to feed my family," said 
Bhen Flores, 54, driver of Baclaran-Manila route.
Others, however, plan to ply their route early in the morning and stop 
before noon as "pakikisama" (in sympathy) with their protesting colleagues.
"Kukuha lang ako ng pangkain para sa mga anak ko [I'll just earn enough to 
be able to buy food for my family)," said Roland Layco. "Para wala namang 
masabi ang mga kasamahan ko (I'll join the strike in the afternoon so that 
my peers won't get disappointed)."
The drivers want the government to scrap the reformed value-added tax on oil 
and agricultural inputs to bring down the price of fuel and food.
"The drivers, operators and the public can no longer take the rising oil 
prices, especially with the increasing prices of basic commodities. The 12 
percent value-added tax and the Oil Deregulation Law should be repealed to 
realize a P4-P5 rollback in petroleum products [per liter]," San Mateo said.
He added that fuel and rice subsidy given by the government have not been 
enough to mitigate the impact of the fuel costs on the poor. He dismissed 
them as tactics to distract the transportation sector from the expected 
P6-oil price adjustment in the coming weeks.
Piston will be setting up rally centers in Alabang, Muntinlupa; Monumento, 
Caloocan City; Novaliches-Bayan, Cubao, Kalayaan avenue corner Kamias, and 
the Philcoa area in Quezon City; Marikina; Taytay Market; as well as Welcome 
Rotonda, Pier South and Aduana Circle in Manila.
San Mateo said they would pursue a series of protest actions until 
compelling government to address their demands.

http://feeds.bignewsnetwork.com/index.php?sid=370400

Fuel price protests continue across India

ANI     Friday 13th June, 2008
Bhubaneswar/ Lucknow/ Chandigarh, June 13 : Protesters in different parts of 
the country took to streets to demonstrate against the Central Government's 
decision to hike fuel prices.

Supporters of Biju Janata Dal took out a protest march in Orissa.

Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said that the Biju Janata Dal for the 
last five days has taken from village to the town the message of spiraling 
price rise.

Traders in Lucknow took out a semi-nude march to register their protest. 
They demanded an immediate rollback of the hike.

"It is a shame that the trading community that pays most tax and that is the 
backbone of the economic system had to come to the street without clothes. 
The hike in petrol, diesel and cooking gas prices is not acceptable to us," 
said Sandeep Bansal, President of the traders association of Uttar Pradesh.

Meanwhile, Punjab Transport Minister Mohan Lal took a cycle ride to a 
cabinet meeting in Chandigarh.

"Being a Minister in the Punjab Government, I am lodging a protest. I want 
to request the Central Government that it should atleast take back the steep 
hike in cooking gas," he said.

The Centre on June 4 had announced fuel price hike by about 10 per cent and 
a cylinder of cooking gas by 17 per cent, the biggest hike in fuel prices in 
12 years.

http://globalvoicesonline.org/2008/06/14/malaysia-escalating-fuel-protests/

Malaysia: Escalating fuel protests

Saturday, June 14th, 2008 @ 07:41 UTC
by Mong Palatino

Fuel protests are escalating in Malaysia today. A few days ago, the 
opposition managed to gather thousands of people in the streets as protest 
to the Malaysian government's move to reduce fuel subsidies and raise fuel 
prices. Next month, anti-government groups vow to mobilize one million 
Malaysians.
Cowboy Caleb describes the situation in Malaysia the night before higher oil 
prices took effect:
"Traffic was being diverted from the seaside road, because it looked like a 
crowd was staging a demonstration. Further along the way, every single 
petrol station I passed by was jam-packed with cars queuing-up to pump 
petrol.
"Naturally, Malaysians are shaking their fists in anger. Amongst all the 
other oil-producing countries, Malaysia is the most expensive despite still 
being relatively cheap in the Asian region. This just smacks of bad 
governance."
Konsyenz explains the anger of ordinary Malaysians:
"Simplistically put, a net exporting country like Malaysia should profit 
when global oil prices increase. Demand for oil is ever increasing, but the 
limited supply pushes the value of this prized commodity up.
"So, logically speaking, an oil-rich country like Malaysia, which is 
projected to be a net exporter until 2014, is making more money when prices 
skyrocket. Why is the country suffering from the effects of global oil 
prices then?"
But freelittlebrain thinks the oil price hike protest is unjustified and 
wrong. The same viewpoint is expressed by Malay Women and Malaysia:
"I was shocked and quite angry with the recent fuel price hike 24 hours 
after hearing the news last week but quickly realize that there is nothing 
we can do about it. I still maintain my stand that the fuel price protest 
like what Malaysians have planned for today is a waste of time."
chantique79 believes the fuel policies of the Prime Minister reflect the 
leader's "very short thinking without thinking the consequences to the 
people." Former Malaysian leader Dr. Mahathir Mohamad shares his perspective 
on the issue:
"I believe the people expect the increase of petrol price. But what they are 
angry about is the quantum and the suddenness. The Prime Minister was 
hinting at August but suddenly it came two months earlier, just after the 
ban on sale of petrol to foreigners. If the increase had been more gradual, 
the people would not feel it so much."
Fireangel uploads the article of a friend who tackled the impact of higher 
oil prices on the economy:
"The entire supply chain, from manufacturers, to distributors and retailers 
will now face the prospect of a "double-whammy"-paying a quarter more on 
their electricity bills as well as bearing the drastically higher price of 
fuel.
"The resulting cost increases will undoubtedly be passed on to the consumer, 
and might in turn precipitate a crisis in domestic production as demand for 
some goods falls through the floor with the diminution of real income.
"The effects of inflation, let alone hyperinflation, are unpredictable at 
best in a country that recently avoided paying a RM900 minimum monthly wage. 
At worst the combined effect of these latest developments will set a match 
to the powder keg of social discontent."
Meshio.com adds:
"I have also noticed people are more pissed off with the petrol price than 
with the rice hike. It shows that the people are not stupid. They know the 
price hike is a global issue. But they also know that the shocking petrol 
hike is NOT so much of a global issue than it is a home-brewed one."
Malaysian leaders have vowed that there will be no more oil price hikes this 
year. They said the government will look for alternative sources of revenue. 
Cakap Tak Serupa Bikin reacts:
"What alternative ways available? The government might consider scrapping 
corruption and look at ways to legalize it without doing it illegally. We 
have legalized civil servants' moonlighting and working in the night; we had 
legalized horse racing and bettings, we had legalized casinos, sports toto, 
4-Ds; well, just add one more to it."
KTemoc Konsiders describes the oil price hike as "Truly Tragically 
 Tsunamic." And the blogger points out the "positive" impact of the hike:
"The only enterprise which will boom, and I say this not as a cruel joke but 
as an observed reality of Malaysian life, will be the 4-Ekor and gambling 
businesses. Poverty leads to financial desperation, and desperation leads to 
fantasized hopes . and fantasy leads the poor to the 4-Ekor shops."
paultan.org notes that cars are now a luxury and a necessity at the same 
time:
"I guess compared with our per capita income, cars are now officially a 
luxury and thanks to our pathetic public transport system, a necessity at 
the same time! We will have to find alternate ways to cut our fuel bill 
without relying on public transport, such as minimizing travel and car 
pooling."
Rajan Rishyakaran reviews the fuel subsidy system of Malaysia:
"It isn't as if Malaysia's coffer is awashed with cash: we have been in a 
fiscal deficit for many years now. And revenue from oil shouldn't be spent 
on subsidies: it is wasteful, not targeted and inefficient. Handing out 
checks (a bit like what the current administration seems to be doing) is a 
lot more efficient.
"Of course the current government could do a lot to lower the burden. Cancel 
huge projects of questionable value (why Penang Monorail, for example, when 
refurbishing the island's tram lines are far much cheaper) - and channel 
that money into tax cuts."
Rant Cushion discussed how the fuel subsidy was abused:
"The subsidy has been abused by those who do not merit the taxpayers' 
sacrifice. When a subsidized system like that for fuel creates a two-tier 
system, we can bet there will be corrupt siphoning of benefits across the 
tier, where those not entitled will enjoy benefits at taxpayers expenses.
"Removing the fuel subsidy does NOT mean the end of subsidy to those in need 
as there are other ways to ensure they receive the publicly funded benefits 
via, for example, social welfare packages which will be an improved system 
of ensuring the benefits actually reach the intended target population."
Oxyeleotris marmorata asks: Did we enjoy the nation's oil wealth? Where did 
all the oil profits go to?
The rising food and energy prices led ShadowFox's hideout to worry about the 
future:
"The wealth from the parent's generation is ending soon, now we're facing 
the new generation of youths who might not be as diligent or financially 
adequate as their parent's generations, and the lack of decent opportunities 
in meritocratic environment. Even in the private sector, things are not all 
that rosy. Young people nowadays will have a huge problem managing their 
finance."

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/05/06/asia/AS-GEN-Indonesia-Fuel-Protest.php

Indonesian students clash with police over fuel hikes

The Associated Press
Published: May 6, 2008

MAKASSAR, Indonesia: Protesters and police hurled rocks at each other 
Tuesday during a demonstration against fuel price increases announced by 
Indonesia's government.
At least four people were injured, police and witnesses said.
The clash occurred when officers tried to keep the protesters - who were 
mostly students - from burning tires and seizing a fuel tank truck in the 
town of Makassar on Sulawesi island, witnesses said.
Police arrested seven people, said police Colonel Genot Haryanto.
"They will be questioned and the case will proceed to court no matter 
whether the students or police are to blame" for provoking the clash, he 
said.

The government announced Monday that it will cut subsidies in the coming 
weeks on a range of fuel products to avoid a massive budget deficit amid 
soaring world oil prices.
A big fuel price increase in 1998 triggered rioting that helped topple 
former dictator Suharto. Protests also forced former President Megawati 
Sukarnoputri to scale back a fuel price increase in 2002.
Scattered demonstrations took place the last time the current government cut 
subsidies in 2005.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/05/16/2246323.htm

Indonesia fuel protests end in violence: report
Posted Fri May 16, 2008 12:00am AEST
There are reports that police have fired tear gas on a crowd of students in 
eastern Indonesia, in the latest in a string of protests against a 
government plan to raise the price of fuel.
The Detikcom news portal says the violence broke out at a university campus 
in the city of Makassar after police charged in to break up the protest and 
were met with a barrage of rocks and other heavy objects.
The portal says police arrested at least four students.
Indonesia has experienced a rash of protests since the Government last week 
announced plans to hike the pump price of fuel, with high global oil prices 
causing the cost of the Government's generous subsidy scheme to balloon.
No set figure has been put forward for the rise, but officials say prices on 
average would increase by no more than 30 per cent.
A 30 per cent rise would see the cost of premium gasoline climb to 6,000 
rupiah (69 Australian cents) a litre from 4,500 rupiah (52 Australian 
cents).
The administration of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said the move was 
essential to cut back the massive cost of its subsidy scheme, which 
outstrips spending on social programs and infrastructure.
But the Government is facing mounting opposition from the street as well as 
parliament, where most parties have reportedly turned against the plan in a 
bid to win favour with voters ahead of elections next year.
Indonesia last raised its fuel price by 126 per cent in 2005, sparking 
widespread street protests.
A senior Indonesian minister said Thursday that public protests were to be 
anticipated over plans to raise fuel costs.
"I'm confident that we can ride this storm of protest," Defence Minister 
Juwono Sudarsono told reporters in Jakarta.
"In 2005 ... we rode out the storm very well. The difference now is May 08 
and we're only 15 months away from elections," he said, referring to the 
tenth anniversary of protests - partly triggered by a fuel price hike - that 
led to the downfall of dictator Suharto.
"I think by December of this year things will improve."
- AFP

http://www.antara.co.id/en/arc/2008/5/9/protest-rally-greets-vp-in-yogyakarta/

05/09/08 14:25
Protest rally greets VP in Yogyakarta

Yogyakarta (ANTARA News) - Hundreds of students staged a protest rally 
against the government`s plan to raise domestic fuel oil prices as Vice 
President Jusuf Kalla and his wife arrived in Yogyakarta to attend a 
traditional ceremony ahead of the marriage of Governor Sri Sultan Hamengku 
Buwono X`s daughter on Friday.

The students, grouped in the Indonesian Muslim Students` Action Front 
(KAMMI) and the Gajah Mada University Sudents` Executive Board (BEM UGM), 
first gathered at the Tugu intersection and then marched to the Gedung Agung 
(State Palace) on Jalan Ahmad Yani where the pre-marital ceremony for the 
sultan`s daughter was taking place.

The situation in front of the building became tense when police suddenly 
tried to drive the demonstrators away from their position facing the palace.

There was some scuffling between police and the students as the latter 
eventually retreated to a position in front of the Vredeburg fort. The 
demonstrators later dispersed by Friday prayers` time. (*)

http://www.antara.co.id/en/arc/2008/5/12/protest-rally-greets-president-yudhoyono-in-surabaya/

05/12/08 13:00
Protest rally greets President Yudhoyono in Surabaya

Surabaya (ANTARA News) - Hundreds of students staged a protest rally against 
the government`s plan to raise domestic fuel oil prices as President Susilo 
Bambang Yudhoyono arrived in Surabaya, East Java, to attend the peak event 
of National Education Day at the Airlangga University campus on Monday.

The students, grouped in the People`s Struggle Front (FPR), first gathered 
at the Hajj Dormitory on Jalan Kertajaya at 9.30 in the morning and then 
marched to Kerta Jaya-Darma Husada intersection through which the 
president`s motorcade was expected to pass.

The protesters from a number of universities in Surabaya waved posters and 
banners carrying slogans among other things reading : "Reject Fuel Oil Price 
Hikes", "Lower Prices of Essential Food Supplies."

Faqih Alfian, the rally`s coordinator , said the demonstration this time was 
supported by students of almost all universities in the East Java provincial 
city of Surabaya.

"The government`s plan to raise domestic fuel oil prices in June will only 
add to the misery of destitute people who make up the majority of 
Indonesia`s population," Alfian said in his oration.

He said the situation in the country at present was getting worse instead of 
better.

According to him, serious problems such as food crisis, increasing prices of 
basic commodities, kerosene scarcity, malnutrition, and fuel oil price hikes 
had worsened the country`s situation.

The situation at Kerta Jaya-Darma Husada intersections became tense when 
police tried to drive the demonstrators away from their position but no 
incident happened.

President Yudhoyono and Vice President Jusuf Kalla have lately increasingly 
become the target of demonstrations against the government`s plan to raise 
the fuel oil prices.

In Yogyakarta on Friday, the Vice President was also greeted by an 
anti-fuel-oil price increase demonstration by hundreds of students as he and 
his wife arrived to attend a traditional ceremony ahead of the marriage of 
Governor Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X`s daughter.

The students, grouped in the Indonesian Muslim Students` Action Front 
(KAMMI) and the Gajah Mada University Students` Executive Board (BEM UGM), 
first gathered at the Tugu intersection and then marched to the Gedung Agung 
(State Palace) on Jalan Ahmad Yani where the pre-marital ceremony for the 
sultan`s daughter was taking place. (*)

http://www.antara.co.id/en/arc/2008/5/11/poor-people-stage-protest-outside-vps-residence/

05/11/08 10:06
Poor people stage protest outside VP`s residence

Makassar (ANTARA News) - Hundreds of poor people staged a protest rally 
against the government`s plan to raise domestic fuel oil prices at Vice 
President Jusuf Kalla`s private residence in Makassar, South Sulawesi, on 
Saturday.

Their proters said if the government of Persident Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono 
and Vice President Jusuf Kalla insisted on raising the fuel oil prices, it 
would increase the misery of the poor people in the country.

Therefore they urged the government to cancel its plan.

Guarded tightly by the police, the protesters then marched to the state oil 
company PT Pertamina`s marketing office on Jalan Garuda , about 500 meters 
from Kalla`s residence, to convey the same demand.

Earlier in the day, hundreds of students who called themselves South 
Sulawesi Deliberation Students Movement staged a similar protest rally at 
the Pertamina office on Jalan Garuda.

Coordinator of the rally, Muhammad Rain, said the government would only add 
to the affliction of the poor people if it raised the domestic fuel oil 
prices.

Meanwhile, Vice President Jusuf Kalla was greeted by a students 
demonstration in Yogyakarta on Friday as he arrived to attend a traditional 
ceremony ahead of the marriage of Governor Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X`s 
daughter.

The students, grouped in the Indonesian Muslim Students` Action Front 
(KAMMI) and the Gajah Mada University Sudents` Executive Board (BEM UGM), 
first gathered at the Tugu intersection and then marched to the Gedung Agung 
(State Palace) on Jalan Ahmad Yani where the vice president stopped over.

The situation in front of the building became tense when police suddenly 
tried to drive the demonstrators away from their position facing the palace.

There was some scuffling between the police and the students as the latter 
eventually retreated to a position in front of the Vredeburg fort. The 
demonstrators later dispersed by Friday prayers` time. (*)

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/06/08/2268558.htm

Indonesian students stitch lips in fuel price protest
Posted Sun Jun 8, 2008 9:00pm AEST
Two Indonesian students had their lips stitched and joined a protest rally 
by about 20 students on a Jakarta campus to press the Government to reverse 
a recent rise in domestic fuel prices.
The Government raised fuel prices by almost 30 per cent last month, sparking 
protests in a country where millions are already suffering from rising 
energy and food costs.
While Indonesia still has some of the lowest fuel prices in Asia, the issue 
of fuel subsidies is politically sensitive. Indonesia is due to hold 
parliamentary and presidential elections next year.
The Government says it has no choice but to progressively trim fuel 
subsidies that cost billions of dollars a year and have become impossible to 
fund as global oil prices soar.
Crude oil rocketed more than $US10 to a new high above $US139 a barrel on 
Friday - up 44 per cent so far this year.
"We will stay on track to demand the cancellation of the hike," Nando 
Sidabutar, a spokesman of Forum Kota, a university students movement said.
Mr Sidabutar said the students would not give up until the Government 
reversed the hike and students from other universities are expected to join 
the protest.
- Reuters

http://www.santiagotimes.cl/santiagotimes/2008052713790/news/business-news/region-viii-protest-gas-tax.html

REGION VIII TRUCKERS PROTEST GAS TAX

Wednesday, 28 May 2008
More than 6,000 truck drivers in Region VIII have ditched their loads in 
protest of high fuel costs, the Chilean daily La Tercera reported.

Trucks in Chile may be going on strike.
Photo Courtesy of SXC.com

The truckers are demanding that the Finance Ministry eliminate the 25 
percent fuel tax, or alternatively, to give them a 100 percent tax return. 
The government has not responded to their call yet, says National 
Confederation of Truck Drivers (CNC) President Juana Araya.

The truck industry said that skyrocketing fuel prices have driven up 
transport costs by 50 percent in a year. The industry seeks tax relief to 
lower its costs, instead of raising prices, to obtain a 25 percent profit 
margin.

Araya hopes that the strike, which started Monday, will yield to a 
round-table meeting with the Senate Transport Commission and Enap President 
Enrique Dávila.

"If by June 2 we don't have an answer from the Finance Ministry," he warned, 
"we will make this strike national."

The Senate had made a similar proposal as part of a 40-part plan to 
stimulate the economy. But Sen. Jorge Pizarro, who supports the truckers' 
strike, said, "There hasn't been any willingness from the Finance Ministry 
to lower fuel taxes."

SOURCE: LA TERCERA
By Elaine Ramirez ( editor at santiagotimes.clThis e-mail address is being 
protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it )

http://feeds.bignewsnetwork.com/index.php?sid=367670

Life normal in Karnataka despite protests against costly fuel

IANS     Thursday 5th June, 2008
India's IT hub Bangalore and the rest of Karnataka showed little signs of 
being derailed by Wednesday's fuel price hike, which has made petrol and 
diesel in the city the costliest in the country. Bangalore roads were as 
usual choc-a-bloc with public and private vehicles.

Educational institutions, commercial establishments, banks and offices 
functioned normally. There were similar reports from other major towns like 
Mangalore, Mysore, Hubli, Shimoga and Gulbarga.

However, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Communist Party of 
India-Marxist (CPI-M) and the Socialist Unity Centre of India (SUCI) staged 
demonstrations in Bangalore and several towns to protest the hike announced 
by the central government.

The BJP protest in Bangalore was led by party general secretary from 
Karnataka H.N. Ananth Kumar.

Criticising the Manmohan Singh government, he said it was in sharp contrast 
to the way the previous BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) handled 
the issue of rising crude prices in the international market.

The CPI-M and the SUCI organised separate demonstrations in front the 
Bangalore city corporation office.

The Communist Party of India did not organise any protest Thursday but plans 
a demonstration along with other Left groups Monday or Tuesday, a 
spokesperson said.

A CPI-M spokesperson said the party staged demonstrations in several parts 
of Karnataka including the coastal town of Mangalore and Gulbarga and at 
Gadag in the north.

BJP workers in Mysore and other places also staged demonstrations.

The new BJP chief minister in Karnataka strongly criticised the hike 
Wednesday evening but refused to lower state taxes to provide relief to the 
people as suggested by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

The hike in diesel prices is likely to result in an increase in the cost of 
travel within Karnataka by the state-run transport service. The Karnataka 
State Road Transport Corp may propose to the state government a 10 percent 
hike in fares.

http://feeds.bignewsnetwork.com/index.php?sid=367380

Total shutdown in West Bengal to protest fuel price hikes

IANS     Thursday 5th June, 2008
Flight schedules went haywire and train services came to a halt as a 12-hour 
shutdown called by West Bengal's ruling Left Front to protest the central 
government's fuel price hikes paralysed life across the state Thursday.

Shops and business establishments remained closed, streets were deserted, 
vehicles remained off the roads, schools and colleges gave unofficial 
holidays as the state witnessed yet another 'government sponsored' shutdown.

No major incident of violence was reported in the morning.

'We have no reports of any violence so far. The shutdown is being observed 
peacefully,' West Bengal Inspector General of Police (Law and Order) Raj 
Kanojia told IANS.

Passengers had a trying time at the NSC Bose International airport of this 
metropolis as one flight after another was cancelled, while train services 
were disrupted in both south-eastern and eastern railways. Protesters 
squatted on railway tracks at various stations.

Suburban trains were cancelled while long distance trains were stuck at 
various stations en route.

The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) led government seemed to have 
played its part in the success of the shutdown as the administration 
remained a mute spectator while Left party activists forced passengers out 
of taxis and squatted outside metro rail stations.

Government-run buses did not ply. But the IT sector escaped the loss of a 
man-day as it was kept out of the purview of the shutdown.

Protesting the central government's decision to hike prices of petroleum 
products, West Bengal's ruling Left Front gave a call for statewide shutdown 
Thursday (6 a.m. to 6 p.m.) even as the main opposition Trinamool Congress 
also called for shutdown over the same issue the next day.

The price of diesel has been increased by Rs.3 per litre, of petrol by Rs.5 
and that of cooking gas by Rs.50 per cylinder.

http://www.thehindu.com/2008/06/05/stories/2008060551140300.htm

Protests against fuel price hike in Kollam

Protest: AIYF activists blocking the Inter-City Express at the Kollam 
railway station on Wednesday in protest against the fuel price hike.
KOLLAM: The hike in fuel prices triggered a chain of protests in Kollam on 
Wednesday evening.
The protests by pro-Left organisations were organised as a prelude to the 
dawn-to-dusk hartal called by the Left Democratic Front (LDF) on Thursday.
The Kollam Railway station complex became the venue for some strong protests 
on the day. A group of All India Youth Federation (AIYF) activists barged 
into the railway station and blocked the Eranakulam-bound Inter City Express 
to register their protest against the fuel price hike. The train was held up 
for about forty-five minutes as a result of the blockade.
The demonstrators also blocked the Thiruvananthapuram-bound Nethravathi 
Express for about fifteen minutes. They were later arrested by the police. 
Later, the Railway police registered a case against the demonstrators. The 
demonstration was led by AIYF State vice-president Sam K. Daniel.
Addressing the demonstration, he said the Left parties should consider 
withdrawing support to the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government if 
the fuel price hike is not withdrawn. AIYF leaders G. Udayakumar, A. Rajeev 
and S. Ajaya Ghosh also spoke. The members of the Federation of State 
Employees and Teachers Organisations (FSETO) held a demonstration in front 
of the railway station condemning the hike.
FSETO activists led by district leader Basil Joseph took out a march from 
the Taluk Cutchery junction.
A protest meeting in front of the railway station was inaugurated by CPI(M) 
district secretary K. Rajagopal.
State vice-president of the Kerala NGO Union K. Sasindran; Kerala School 
Teachers Association leader S. Ajayakumar and Kerala Gazetted Officers' 
Association leader C.S. Reghulal spoke. Communist Party of India activists 
took out a march through the city.

http://www.thehindu.com/2008/06/05/stories/2008060558670300.htm

Parties stage novel protest
Staff Reporter
GUNTUR: Political parties on Thursday took to the streets protesting against 
the fuel hike. In a novel demonstration TDP and CPI(M) activists paraded 
cars and bikes towing them with ropes. In some cases, a mock auction of 
motorcycles was held.
Tenali M.P V. Bala Shourie said the hike was imminent due to the global hike 
in crude oil prices which shot up from $80 to $130.

http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/americas/news/article_1409563.php/Truck_drivers_protest_over_fuel_prices_in_Chile_Bolivia

Truck drivers protest over fuel prices in Chile, Bolivia
Jun 5, 2008, 21:24 GMT
Santiago/La Paz - Truck drivers continued Thursday to blockade roads in 
Chile and Bolivia, demanding that the respective governments ease taxes on 
fuel in an attempt to face rising fuel prices.
In Chile, the truck drivers protest that started Tuesday continued to cause 
trouble for the supply of food, fuel and health sector products, causing 
millions of dollars in losses according to government and business 
officials.
Access to several cities were blocked in some areas, and mass transit 
systems partially joined the protest by some 60,000 freight vehicles.
The crisis paralysed the country's main ports and particularly affected 
northern and southern regions.
The right-wing opposition said it will block a government- sponsored bill to 
establish a 1-billion-dollar fuel subsidy, causing the protest to become 
tougher.
Drivers are demanding the subsidy, and also the elimination of road tolls 
and the country's taxes on fuel.
Chile imports almost all of the fuel it consumes.
Energy Minister Marcelo Tokman called upon protestors 'not to put at risk 
the supply' of basic products.
'It is one thing to make the decision to go on strike and not transport 
anything, and another to prevent those who do want to work from doing so,' 
Tokman complained.
Several hospitals reported trouble in securing a supply of oxygen.
In neighbouring Bolivia, truck drivers were continuing with a similar 
protest, which also started Tuesday. They wreaked havoc on traffic in 
eastern, western and southern parts of the Andean country and vowed to keep 
the protest going indefinitely.
Drivers demanded that the government change taxes on the sector and modify 
customs regulations, and also that the authorities secure better upkeep of 
the country's roads. Bolivian President Evo Morales has refused to do as 
protestors want.
Beyond the drivers' protest, the construction sector staged an unprecedented 
demonstration Thursday, taking heavy machinery into the eastern Bolivian 
city of Santa Cruz de la Sierra in demand for new prices in the face of 
rising costs.
In Argentina - which has borders with both Chile and Bolivia - truck drivers 
were also protesting Thursday, although their demands were not aimed at fuel 
prices or government policy. Rather, they were complaining that a farmers' 
protest that has been ongoing since March has severely reduced their 
workload.

http://story.indiagazette.com/index.php/ct/9/cid/701ee96610c884a6/id/367284/cs/1/

Spontaneous protests in Andhra Pradesh over price hike
India Gazette
Wednesday 4th June, 2008
(IANS)
The steep hike in prices of petroleum products announced Wednesday evoked 
spontaneous protests across Andhra Pradesh as the opposition parties gave a 
call for shutdown Friday.

Activists of the main opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the Left 
parties took to streets in the state capital and some towns to protest the 
hike. The TDP gave a call for state-wide shutdown Friday while the Telangana 
Rashtra Samiti (TRS) called for shutdown in Telangana region the same day.

The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) and Communist Party of India 
(CPI) also announced plans to hold protests across the state from Thursday.

Andhra Pradesh is the hardest by the hike as the sales tax here is the 
highest in the country at 33 percent. The petrol will now cost Rs.57.65 per 
litre, diesel Rs.38.39 and an LPG cylinder Rs.353.

TDP activists staged a sit-in on the busy RTC crossroads here, blocking the 
vehicular traffic.

Workers of TDP and the Left parties staged road and rail blockades in 
Tirupati, Nalgonda, Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada and other places.

TDP leader T. Devender Goud said the latest hike would further burden the 
common man.

'This is the seventh time the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) government 
has hiked the (petro) prices burdening the poor and the middle classes,' he 
said.

Taking advantage of the hike, many petroleum dealers created artificial 
shortage. Though the new prices will come into effect from midnight, petrol 
stations across the state were either shut down or restricted sales.

Boards announcing 'no stock' greeted customers at hundreds of petrol pumps 
in the state capital and other major cities as the traders preferred to sell 
the products after new prices come into effect.

The hike followed by the shortage had the vehicle-owners fuming. The 
customers had heated arguments with petrol pump owners at several places.

The hike evoked sharp reaction from people. 'Normally the prices are hiked 
by 50 paise or one rupee but this hike by Rs.5 for petrol is just not 
acceptable,' said T. Dayakar, a businessman.

The Rs.50 hike for a cylinder of cooking gas was sharply criticised by 
housewives. 'With the prices of all essential commodities going up, it was 
already difficult to run the house. This hike has come as yet another blow 
on us,' said Pushpa, a homemaker.

People fear the hike would lead to further escalation of prices of essential 
commodities.

http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/31/stories/2008053160601000.htm

Oil price hike: CPI(M) warns of protests
Vinay Kumar
NEW DELHI: Reiterating its total opposition to any move to raise the prices 
of petrol, diesel and cooking gas, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) on 
Friday warned of a nationwide protest movement with other Left and secular 
Opposition parties if the UPA government went ahead with the hike.
CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat refuted suggestions that the Left 
parties had been consulted on the proposed hike.
"There will be no talk on price hike. We are asking the government to take 
alternative measures, including a cut in import and excise duties, to help 
meet the international situation," he said.
Mr. Karat was briefing journalists here after a meeting of the party's 
Central Committee.
He said the Left parties had been suggesting a package of measures which 
would help to meet the steep increase in the international oil prices. These 
include a reduction in import duty from 5 to 0 per cent, cut in excise 
duties on petrol and diesel, setting up of a price stabilisation fund with 
the oil cess contribution, taxing the windfall profits being made by private 
oil companies and refineries and an end to the import parity pricing system. 
"It is unfortunate that the UPA government has not taken seriously any of 
these measures," the Central Committee noted.
Farm loan waiver, the Karnataka election results and the West Bengal 
Panchayat elections were also discussed by the Central Committee. He 
admitted that there was some setback to the CPI(M) and the Left Front in 
certain districts of West Bengal.
"The apprehensions about land acquisition which has led to loss of support 
in some areas need to be removed. The plan for industrialisation must take 
this into account. Proper lessons must be drawn from the reversal suffered 
in certain areas... "

http://www.dawn.com/2008/06/12/rss.htm#44

70 detained in occupied Kashmir protests against India fuel hike SRINAGAR, 
occupied Kashmir, June 12 (AFP): Police in Indian occupied Kashmir detained 
70 people as protests against a rise in fuel prices announced by the 
national government continued for a fourth day on Thursday. Police used 
batons and water cannons to repel government employees shouting "roll back 
fuel prices" as they tried to march on the office of Chief Minister Ghulam 
Nabi Azad in Srinagar. "Some 20 protesters received minor injuries while 70 
others were detained," a police officer told AFP. (Posted @ 22:05 PST)
http://arabnews.com/?page=4&section=0&article=110739&d=10&m=6&y=2008&pix=world.jpg&category=World

Fuel Price Protests Disrupt Life in Two Indian States
Agencies
SRINAGAR, India, 10 June 2008 - Police used water canon and batons in 
Kashmir yesterday to disperse hundreds of government employees protesting 
increase in fuel prices, while a general strike also shut down the 
northeastern state of Assam.
Elsewhere in the country, though, life continued as normal as protests over 
last week's rise in fuel prices appeared to taper off.
India increased petrol and diesel prices by around 10 percent last 
Wednesday, after the cost of subsidizing fuel in the face of record-breaking 
crude prices had brought state oil companies close to bankruptcy.
With less than a year to go to elections, the government's communist allies 
and the opposition called for protests against the move, but many people 
complained that strikes in several states last week had only made a 
difficult situation worse.
The fuel price blow was also cushioned after several state governments 
announced duty cuts of between two and five percentage points, although 
Kashmir has not yet announced any duty cuts and Assam made only a tiny cut 
in sales tax.
In Kashmir, dozens of people were also detained after government employees 
gathered outside the office of the state's chief minister in the heart of 
Srinagar to protest against the fuel price rise.
"Roll back price of petrol, diesel and cooking gas," the protesters shouted 
before being dispersed by police.
A four-day strike called by private transport operators demanding an 
increase in passenger fares and freight charges also forced thousands of 
people to walk to work. Officials said the government would deploy buses and 
other vehicles to offer rides after the strike threw about 75,000 vehicles 
off the roads across the state.
In the northeastern state of Assam, tribal groups called a 12-hour shutdown 
yesterday accusing the government of inept handling of oil prices. Offices, 
banks, shops and schools were closed and traffic stayed off the road.
"The government has no concern for the common people," the coalition of 
tribal groups from Assam's hill areas said in a statement. "This will force 
tribespeople into starvation."
The strike seemed to enjoy popular support. "It is a genuine issue," said 
Naba Pathak, a government clerk in Guwahati. "And people irrespective of 
caste, religion and political affiliation should support this bandh 
(strike)." Landlocked in one of India's remotest regions, much of Assam's 
supplies come from outside and a rise in fuel prices has a ripple effect on 
the prices of essential goods.
Nepal to Raise Prices
In neighboring Nepal, the government sanctioned a rise in fuel prices 
yesterday to stem losses by the state-run oil firm and overcome a domestic 
oil shortage caused by record-breaking fuel prices. The government said the 
Nepal Oil Corporation, which has a monopoly on oil imports, would decide how 
much to raise prices.
The tiny Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan also announced a hike in petrol and 
diesel prices by around 10 percent on Sunday.
Protests are also possible in Nepal. In January the government backed down 
on a decision to raise fuel prices after fierce anti-government protests 
across the country crippled life for two days.

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/SP344495.htm

Indian Kashmir shuts down over fuel protests
11 Jun 2008 09:40:44 GMT
Source: Reuters
SRINAGAR, India, June 11 (Reuters) - A one day strike to protest against 
fuel price rises shut shops and banks in Indian Kashmir on Wednesday, 
coinciding with a protest by transporters demanding they be allowed to raise 
fares and freight charges.
Protests over fuel price rises have lost steam elsewhere in India as 
political parties sense grudging acceptance by citizens of the unpopular 
price hike.
But streets in Srinagar, Kashmir's summer capital, were deserted and schools 
and colleges were closed in response to Wednesday's strike, called by the 
Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Federation.
"We express utter dismay over the rise of essential commodities, petrol, 
diesel and cooking gas, and urge people to observe a complete strike on June 
11," the group said in a statement.
India increased petrol and diesel prices last week by around 10 percent 
after the cost of fuel subsidies brought state oil companies close to 
bankruptcy.
Wednesday was also the third day of a four-day strike in Kashmir called by 
the state's transport operators demanding an increase in passenger fares and 
freight charges.
The government has deployed several hundred buses and other vehicles to 
offer rides after the strike drove about 75,000 vehicles off roads across 
the state, but residents say it has not been enough.
Officials in Kashmir said there had been no breakthrough

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080610/jsp/nation/story_9389882.jsp

Oil protest stalls Valley wheels
OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

A lady officer brandishes a stick to control pilgrims jostling for tickets 
at Jammu railway station on Monday. (PTI)
Srinagar, June 9: Public transport stayed off the roads today in response to 
a four-day strike called by transporters against the fuel price hike, 
throwing life out of gear across the state.
Protesters pelted vehicles with stones at several places in the city. Over 
72,000 commercial vehicles went off the roads, affecting commuters.
The state-run Road Transport Corporation pressed extra buses into service.
"We were forced to take this step as the government did not heed our 
demands. The government has not revised the transport fare for the last 
three years although the oil price has gone up significantly during this 
period," Bashir Ahmad Matt, the chairperson of All Kashmir Transporters 
Welfare Association, said.
"We were already incurring huge losses and the fresh hike has put tremendous 
pressure on us," Matt added.
The transporters are demanding a significant hike in fare as well as a 
reduction in oil prices, but the government is treading cautiously ahead of 
the Assembly elections later this year.
Transport minister Hakeen Yaseen said negotiations with the transporters had 
begun.
"We are sure that some breakthrough will be achieved and the strike will end 
soon," he said.
The local traders' federation will join the transporters' agitation on 
Wednesday.
The tourist season is at its peak in Jammu and Kashmir and all the hotels 
are booked.
Consumer affairs minister Taj Mohidin said the government had agreed in 
principle to slash sales tax.
"We have a plan to slash diesel price by Re 1 or Rs 2 and LPG by Rs 14, but 
this will cost the government Rs 100 crore. We are meeting the Centre on 
June 16 to arrive at a decision," he said.

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/06/12/asia/AS-GEN-Thailand-Protests.php

Soaring cost of living sparking protests across Thailand

The Associated Press
Published: June 12, 2008

BANGKOK, Thailand: Tens of thousands of heavy trucks are threatening to 
cause havoc in the Thai capital while fishermen have begun burning their 
boats in nationwide protests against soaring prices of fuel and other 
essentials, protesters said Thursday.
The government has until next Tuesday to subsidize fuel for truckers or face 
at least 100,000 vehicles rumbling into already traffic-clogged Bangkok, 
said Thongyoo Khongkhan, secretary-general of the Land Transport Federation 
of Thailand.
Also protesting or planning to stage demonstrations in this still heavily 
agricultural nation were garlic, cabbage and rice farmers, along with 
fishermen.
A government spokesman said money has been allocated to subsidize some costs 
of the farmers, fishermen and transport workers.
"The government is trying its best to reduce the immediate problem of the 
various groups of protesters," said Natawut Saikau.
"The ongoing protests are not affecting the stability of the government but 
merely affecting the feelings of the people," he said.
Prices for some commodities, such as rice, have risen because of greater 
worldwide demand, but farmers complain that these have been offset by 
skyrocketing inflation spurred by soaring fuel prices.
Thongyoo said a half-day strike Wednesday by truckers who parked their 
vehicles on highways across the country was only a prelude to next week's 
possible push into Bangkok.
"Yesterday we merely showed our power by parking the trucks on the roads, 
but if the government fails to meet our demand, the federation has decided 
to make June 17 D-day when we will bring at least 100,000 trucks into 
Bangkok," Thongyoo told The Associated Press.
The federation demands that the government sell diesel to them for 3 baht (9 
U.S. cents) less than the market price per liter and allocate funds to the 
federation to convert truck engines from diesel to cheaper natural gas.
Finance Minister Suraphong Suebwonglee brushed aside the threat from 
truckers, saying authorities were working on a plan that would help reduce 
costs in the transport sector.
"I am not concerned about the truckers threat to strike because the 
government is seeking to subsidize the transport sectors as the whole," 
Suraphong said without elaborating.
The president of the Fishing Federation of Thailand Mana Sripitak, 
meanwhile, said that more than half of the 50,000 fishing boats under its 
wing are being kept ashore because of the high cost of diesel.
Some fishermen have burned their boats in protest, he said, as the 
federation negotiated with the government for subsidies.
Farmers have in recent days staged protests in Bangkok asking the government 
to relieve their debts while rice and garlic farmers in northern Thailand 
have demonstrated against the high cost of living and the low prices for 
their crops.
Adding to the government's woes is a threat by major labor unions to join up 
with pro-democracy demonstrations that have been occurring daily in Bangkok 
in recent weeks.

http://news.sbs.com.au/worldnewsaustralia/thais_to_protest_against_fuel_and_food_costs_549143

Thais to protest against fuel and food costs
Thursday, 12 June, 2008
Tens of thousands of heavy trucks are threatening to cause havoc in Bangkok 
in protest aganist rising fuel prices. (Getty)

Tens of thousands of heavy trucks are threatening to cause havoc in Bangkok 
and fishermen have begun burning their boats in nationwide protests against 
soaring prices of fuel and other essentials, protesters.

The government has until next Tuesday to subsidise fuel for truckers or face 
at least 100,000 vehicles rumbling into already traffic-clogged Bangkok, 
said Thongyoo Khongkhan, secretary-general of the Land Transport Federation 
of Thailand.

Also protesting or planning to stage demonstrations in this still heavily 
agricultural nation were garlic, cabbage and rice farmers, along with 
fishermen.

A government spokesman said money has been allocated to subsidise some costs 
of the farmers, fishermen and transport workers.

"The government is trying its best to reduce the immediate problem of the 
various groups of protesters," said Natawut Saikau.

"The ongoing protests are not affecting the stability of the government but 
merely affecting the feelings of the people," he said.

Prices for some commodities, such as rice, have risen because of greater 
worldwide demand, but farmers complain that these have been offset by 
skyrocketing inflation spurred by soaring fuel prices.

'only a prelude'
Thongyoo said a half-day strike Wednesday by truckers who parked their 
vehicles on highways across the country was only a prelude to next week's 
possible push into Bangkok.

"Yesterday we merely showed our power by parking the trucks on the roads, 
but if the government fails to meet our demand, the federation has decided 
to make June 17 D-day when we will bring at least 100,000 trucks into 
Bangkok," Thongyoo told The Associated Press.

The federation demands that the government sell diesel to them nine cents 
less than the market price per litre and allocate funds to the federation to 
convert truck engines from diesel to cheaper natural gas.

The president of the Fishing Federation of Thailand Mana Sripitak said that 
more than half of the 50,000 fishing boats are being kept ashore because of 
the high cost of diesel.

Some fishermen have burned their boats in protest, he said, as the 
federation negotiated with the government for subsidies.

Farmers have in recent days staged protests in Bangkok asking the government 
to relieve their debts while rice and garlic farmers in northern Thailand 
have demonstrated against the high cost of living and the low prices for 
their crops.

Adding to the government's woes is a threat by major labour unions to join 
up with pro-democracy demonstrations that have been occurring daily in 
Bangkok in recent weeks.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=116589

JI protests at 35 different roundabouts Wednesday, June 04, 2008
By our correspondent

Karachi

The Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) organised protests against increasing the price of 
daily commodities, unemployment and poverty at 35 different roundabouts of 
the city on Tuesday.

The demonstrations, addressed by key JI leaders, were part of the party's 
ten-day drive against inflation and unemployment. The programme started May 
23 and will continue till June 5. On the last day of the campaign, a protest 
demonstration of children will be held outside the Karachi Press Club (KPC). 
Children from schools and madressahs will participate in the demonstration.

During its 10-day campaign, the JI organised seminars, protests 
demonstrations of labours, traders and women, demanding that the government 
provide relief to the people. The main demonstration was held at the Old 
Numaish roundabout. Participants carried placards and banners inscribed with 
slogans which demanded the fulfilment of the "roti, kapra, makaan" (food, 
clothing, shelter) promises of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) government.

Slogans were chanted as well, saying that the government had failed to 
redress the issues of the people. Participants demanded that prices of 
edible items be reduced and be fixed at least for two years to give 
incentives to the people. Failure to comply with this demand would "result 
in a mass protest because the people are fed up with the continuous 
price-hike."

At the main protest at Old Numaish, JI leader Mohammed Hussain Mehnti said 
that the government had not taken any concrete steps for the elimination of 
poverty and inflation. The economy of the country was in a shambles and the 
government must seriously adopt policies that would ease the crisis in the 
country, he maintained.

Another JI leader, Nasrullah Shaji, said that no country could prosper 
through aid from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). It had been the 
intentions of the West to "control poor countries" through the sanctioning 
of loans and funds. Laiq Khan said, meanwhile, that people were committing 
suicide everyday due to inflation and unemployment and if the situation 
continued further, the country would collapse.
in negotiations with transport operators. (Reporting by Sheikh Mushtaq; 
Editing by Krittivas Mukherjee and David Fox)

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/06/11/2270705.htm

Nepal students protest against high fuel costs
Posted Wed Jun 11, 2008 1:22am AEST
Student activists have burned tyres on roads and blocked traffic in 
Kathmandu to protest against a hefty increase in fuel prices, but many 
Nepalis hope the unpopular hike will at least mean smoother supplies.
Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) on Monday increased petrol and diesel prices by 
about a 25 percent to stem losses at the state-run oil company and help 
overcome a domestic fuel shortage.
Fuel prices are a test for Nepal's political parties, now squabbling to form 
a new government likely to be led by the Maoist former rebels.
Many ordinary Nepalis, fed up with long queues at petrol pumps, think some 
hike was unavoidable but say the increase was too big.
Some, like Kathmandu taxi driver Bill Shrestha, said even though expensive 
they would rather have a steady supply of more expensive fuel than not have 
at all.
"If petrol is available in the market after the increase it is okay. I don't 
mind," Mr Shrestha said.
On Tuesday, transport operators announced a 30 percent hike in fares for 
long distance buses and 35 percent for taxis and buses operating on shorter 
routes with immediate effect.
NOC said fuel supplies should return to normal within a few days - for the 
first time in at least six months.
The cost of subsidising the retail price had left NOC short of funds to buy 
sufficient quantities of fuel from India.
But student protesters say the government should have arranged for relief to 
students as well as to poor people and looked for alternative energy sources 
to tide over the shortage before rushing with the price hike.
- Reuters

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/06/22/asia/AS-GEN-Nepal-Fuel-Protest.php

Nepal students attack government vehicles, block traffic to protest fuel 
price hike

The Associated Press
Published: June 22, 2008

KATMANDU, Nepal: Students blocked traffic and attacked government vehicles 
for the fourth day in the Nepalese capital Sunday, protesting fuel price 
increases and demanding a discount on public transportation fares.
Public buses, vans and taxis, meanwhile, were absent from the streets as 
drivers attempted to force the government to allow them to increase fares.
The government has said it can allow a 25 percent increase but the Transport 
Entrepreneur's Association has demanded as much as 35 percent to cover 
rising fuel prices.
With the absence of public transport, thousands of people walked instead.
College students, who have been protesting since Thursday, continued their 
protests in several areas of Katmandu. They torched a government motorcycle 
and attacked several other vehicles.
The students are pressing the government to immediately withdraw fuel price 
increases, which went into effect June 10.
Nepal Oil Corp., a state-owned company with a monopoly on importing and 
distributing oil, said the price rise was necessary to reduce its losses and 
increase supplies.
Since the increase went into effect, the pump price of gasoline has jumped 
25 percent to 100 rupees per liter (US$5.70 per gallon), while diesel shot 
up 25 percent to 70 rupees a liter (US$3.80 a gallon).
Nepal imports all its oil products from neighboring India. Nepal Oil has in 
recent weeks has struggled to pay Indian Oil Corp. because of its financial 
troubles, and fuel imports have dropped off as a result.

 http://www.nepalnews.com/archive/2008/jun/jun10/news06.php

POL price hike sparks protests, PDA sets market prices
The government decision to heavily increase the prices of the petroleum 
products effective from Tuesday has sparked protests across the country from 
early morning.

Activists of Democratic National Youth Organisation (DYNO), the youth wing 
...
The protests are led by UML affiliated youth body Democratic National Youth 
Organisation (DNYO).
The organisation has asked the government to seek alternative remedies to 
increasing prices for adjusting the POL prices.
Students affiliated to UML staged demonstrations in central campus, 
Tribhuvan University demanding immediate withdrawal of the hike in POL 
prices. Demonstrations in Koteshor, Nayabazzar and Lainchour led to 
disruption of traffic from early morning. They have announced bigger 
protests later today at Ratna Park.
DNYO members also staged demonstrations near Ghantaghar in Birgunj.
In the meantime, a meeting of the Petroleum Dealers Association (PDA) held 
Tuesday morning has set market prices of the POL products.
According to PDA, the prices will vary according to distance of 
transportation. The highest consumer price per liter of petrol will cost Rs 
103.40, diesel Rs 73.20 and kerosene Rs 67.60. nepalnews.com ia June 10 08

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/211253,drivers-stage-protest-to-demand-cuts-in-fuel-prices-in.html

Drivers stage protest to demand cuts in fuel prices in Hong Kong
Posted : Tue, 10 Jun 2008 05:34:01 GMT
Author : DPA
Category : Asia (World)

Hong Kong - Hundreds of lorry drivers marched on Hong Kong's government 
offices Tuesday demanding a cut in fuel duty to offset soaring diesel 
prices. Around 300 drivers marched to central government offices demanding 
talks with the territory's chief executive Donald Tsang while 20 trucks and 
lorries staged a go-slow through the city centre.
Drivers and operators say they are struggling to make a living because of a 
25-per-cent rise in fuel costs in recent months and want government tax on 
diesel shelved.
There was no immediate response to the demands from Tsang and his 
government, which imposes duty of 1.11 Hong Kong dollars (14 US cents) on 
each litre of diesel.
A police spokesman said Tuesday morning's go-slow did not appear to cause 
any excessive congestion in Hong Kong's arterial Central and Wan Chai 
districts.

http://www.thehindu.com/2008/06/11/stories/2008061152890300.htm

Mahila Morcha protest
KANNUR: Activists of the Bharatiya Janata Mahila Morcha took out a march to 
the railway station here on Tuesday in protest against the hike in prices of 
fuel and essential commodities. The protestors carrying utensils staged a 
sit-in front of the entrance to the station and cooked rice gruel. Morcha 
State vice-president A.V. Padmini inaugurated the protest. - Special 
Correspondent

http://www.thehindu.com/2008/06/10/stories/2008061050430300.htm

Tamil Nadu - Salem

AIADMK protest in Salem
SALEM: Cadres of All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) staged a 
demonstration here on Monday protesting against the steep increase in the 
price of petrol, diesel and LP gas. The cadres led by the Organisation 
Secretary, Edapadi Palanichamy, and participated by former Minister 
Vijayalakshmi Palanichamy, former Salem Mayor Sureshkumar and other 
frontline leaders, raised slogans against the State and Central governments 
blaming them for the present situation.

http://www.thehindu.com/2008/06/10/stories/2008061050230300.htm

Tamil Nadu - Erode

AIADMK cadres protest against fuel price rise
Staff Reporter
- PHOTO: M. GOVARTHAN.

Seek withdrawal: AIADMK cadres staging a protest in front of the Erode 
Corporation on Monday condemning fuel price hike.
ERODE: Members of the All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and its 
labour front Anna Thozhir Sanga Peravai staged a protest here on Monday in 
protest against fuel price rise.
The members, led by deputy secretary of the labour front Rasu, district 
secretary of the party K. V. Ramalingam and former minister P. C. Ramasamy, 
said the price rise affected the public, particularly those from the lower 
economic strata. They urged the Government to withdraw the price hike.

http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/01/stories/2008070151480300.htm

Tamil Nadu - Erode

DMDK cadres stage protest
ERODE: Hundreds of Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam cadres protested against 
price hike by taking out a procession from the Municipal VOC Park grounds. 
Led by the
party's propaganda secretary V.C. Chandrakumar, the
cadres marched from
the grounds to MGR statue and then to the Collectorate. They wanted the 
Union Government to control prices and sought Finance Minister P. 
Chidambaram's resignation.

http://www.thehindu.com/2008/06/10/stories/2008061056250300.htm

Tamil Nadu - Dindigul

AIADMK cadres protest against price increase
Staff Reporter
They take out a rally and flay State and Central governments

- PHOTO: G. KARTHIKEYAN

Demonstration: Former Transport Minister R. Viswanathan and AIADMK members 
riding a bullock cart in Dindigul on Monday.
DINDIGUL: Cadres of All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam staged 
demonstration before Dindigul Municipality here on Monday condemning the 
steep increase in prices of petrol and diesel.
The cadres took out a procession that started from Periyar statue and 
reached the Municipality, the venue of agitation.
They boarded an autorickshaw on a bullock cart and pulled it in the 
procession. A car carrying an empty cylinder on its top was also tied with a 
rope behind the cart.
AIADMK members raised slogans against the State and Central governments and 
said that the hike would hit the common man.
It would also have its adverse impact on all essential commodities, they 
added.
Theni
Over 1,000 AIADMK cadres took out a massive procession and staged 
demonstration near the State Bank of India for the same reason. Earlier, it 
commenced at Nehru statue near Theni Central Bus Stand and reached the SBI.
Ramanathapuram
The cadres of All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) on Monday 
staged demonstration here protesting against the Central Government for 
increasing the price of petroleum products such as petrol, diesel, Liquefied 
Petroleum Gas (LPG) and others.
K. Malaisamy, Member of Parliament, led the agitation held at the post 
office.
More than 400 persons including Somathur Subramanian, district secretary, 
Anwar Raja, V.T. Natarajan, former Ministers took part.
Raising slogans against the State and Central Governments, the agitators 
said that they (the United Progressive Alliance parties) would have to pay a 
heavy price for increasing the petrol price in the next Parliament election.
Accusing the State Government, the speakers said that while several 
governments have reduced the tax component on petrol, diesel and LPG, it had 
just cut 2 percent on diesel, which would not serve the purpose.
The steep increase in price of gas cylinder was unprecedented and it would 
divert people back to olden methods of cooking.
Sivaganga
Similar protest was held at Sivaganga under the leadership of former MP 
Gokula Indira.
More than 700 cadres from different parts of the district participated. 
Cholan. CT. Pazhanisamy, district secretary, was among those who took part.
They took out a rally from Siva Temple to Ramachandranar Park, where they 
held a protest demonstration.
Taking strong exception to the State and Central Governments for petrol 
price increase, the agitators also raised slogans against the Finance 
Minister, P. Chidambaram for failing to arrest inflation.
Virudhunagar
AIADMK cadres staged a demonstration at the Desabandu ground to protest 
rising price of petroleum products on Monday.
The party minorities wing State president, A. Justin Selvaraj, led the 
protest.
They pulled a van with donkeys to highlight the plight of common man 
following the recent increase of petroleum prices.
The district secretary, K.K. Sivasamy, the Rajapalayam MLA, M. Chandra, the 
MGR Youth Wing secretary, K.T. Rajendra Balaji, were among those who 
participated.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30075179

Over 100 farm trucks fron Northeast protest in Bangkok

Over 100 farm trucsk from northeastern province drove through Bangkok roads 
to join protesting farmers at the head office of the Bank of Thailand 
Tuesday, worsening traffic congestion in the capital.

They drove on the Vibhavadi Rangsit Road at noon, passing the Victory 
Monument heading to the central bank's head office at the Rama VIII Bridge.

http://www.nst.com.my/Saturday/Frontpage/2260950/Article/index_html

2008/06/07
Fuel price hike: DAP to continue holding protests

People holding a demonstration against the fuel price hike in front of the 
Kampung Baru Mosque in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

KUALA LUMPUR: DAP will continue to lead peaceful demonstrations against the 
fuel price hike, despite criticism by consumer groups that these won't help 
the people.

Teratai state assemblywoman Jenice Lee said demonstrations would continue.

She said this after a two-hour demonstration in front of a petrol station at 
Taman Muda here yesterday. About 100 people participated.

Several hours after the demonstration, Jenice was summoned to the Ampang 
police station to give a statement as the demonstration was held without a 
permit.

Meanwhile, 200 people held a similar demonstration in front of Jamek Mosque 
at Kampung Baru in Kuala Lumpur.
The demonstration was organised by an Ikatan Kebajikan Rakyat or Ikrar. The 
demonstration began at 2pm after Friday prayers and lasted 15 minutes.

An Ikrar spokesman said the organisation would hold a bigger demonstration 
at KLCC next Thursday.

In George Town, about 30 people, mostly members of non-governmental 
organisations and Pakatan Rakyat supporters staged a gathering for about 30 
minutes at Komtar here.

Among those present were Penang Watch co-ordinator B.K. Ong and state 
Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman Abdul Malik Kassim.

Komtar assemblyman Ng Wei Aik, who is also political secretary to Chief 
Minister Lim Guan Eng, said the state government would look into measures to 
reduce the burden of the people.

The crowd dispersed about 3pm without any untoward incident.

In Sungai Petani, five men were arrested after defying police orders and 
going ahead with an illegal gathering at the Clock Tower here yesterday.

Police were forced to charge after the protesters refused to disperse from 
the gathering.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/6/8/nation/21492008&sec=nation

Sunday June 8, 2008
Small groups continue to protest increases

JOHOR BARU: A few groups of people continued to protest against the fuel 
price increase but no untoward incidents were reported.
A crowd gathered at the Larkin Terminal and held a demonstration for less 
than an hour yesterday.
Johor Baru PKR division chief Subra Pavidathally said the demonstration 
aimed to urge the rakyat to voice out their dissatisfaction over the new 
ruling.
"The bulk of our income is spent on transportation.
"The price of bus tickets and other modes of transportation will surely 
increase due to the fuel price hike," he said.
In BENTONG, a small group gathered in the town area for a peaceful assembly.
The gathering was led by state DAP secretary and Tras assemblyman Chong Siew 
Onn and state DAP political bureau division committee chief D.R. Kamache.
Chong said it was unfair for the Government to have increased the prices 
without giving some time for the people to prepare for the rise.
Bentong OCPD Superintendent Mohd Yusoff Mohamood said police had not given 
any permit for the gathering.
"They followed our order to dismiss and they did not display provocative 
placards and banners. The gathering was also held in a peaceful manner," he 
said.
The gathering took place for less than 30 minutes.

http://www.thehindu.com/2008/06/08/stories/2008060858100300.htm

Tamil Nadu

Left protest stalls production in textile units in Tirupur
Staff Reporter
Loss estimated at Rs. 50 crore; windshield of buses damaged

Photo: M. Balaji

Grinding halt: Production came to a standstill in Tirupur on Saturday as all 
garment factories remained closed owing to the bandh to protest against the 
increase in petroleum prices. -
TIRUPUR: Normal life was affected in the knitwear city on Saturday following 
the general strike called by the Communist Party of India and CPI (Marxist) 
condemning the increase in petroleum prices.
Over two lakh workers stayed off the work as nearly 5,000 garment export 
units, dyeing factories, embroidery, knitting and allied units remained 
closed for the day. Industry sources estimate that there was a production 
loss of Rs.50 crore worth hosiery products due to the strike.
All the business establishments, including eateries, tea stalls and petty 
shops, except TASMAC retail outlets and bars downed shutters.
Hospitals and medical shops functioned as usual. Banks and financial 
institutions functioned as usual. Barring stone pelting by unidentified 
persons on two State Transport Corporation buses at Pazha godown and 
Parappalayam on Mangalam Road, the strike was largely incident-free.
Two and four wheelers were plying on the road through out the day but the 
number of bus services by the State Transport Corporation was reduced as 
workers affiliated to the Left trade unions went on strike.

http://www.thehindu.com/2008/06/08/stories/2008060851000300.htm

Tamil Nadu - Udhagamandalam

Protest against fuel price increase evokes mixed response
Special Correspondent
Buses, autorickshaws, taxies run as usual

Photo: M. Sathyamoorthy

Expression of dissent: Left parties taking out a procession in protest 
against the rise in prices of petrol, diesel and gas in Udhagamandalam. -
Udhagamandalam: The general strike called by the left parties in protest 
against the hike in fuel prices evoked a mixed response in the Nilgiris 
district. Normal life was not hit in Ooty. Buses, autorickshaws, taxies etc 
plied as usual and all the commercial establishments, government offices 
remained open.
The CPI (M) and CPI jointly organised a procession from the central bus 
stand to the ATC bus stop. To express their anguish over the steep hike in 
the prices of petrol, diesel and LPG and to show how much the people will be 
affected, the processionists pulled a bullock cart with a scooter mounted on 
it and a couple of vehicles. It was led by the CPI(M) district secretary L. 
Thiagarajan.
In Gudalur and surroundings, including Pandhalur, Cherambadi and Iyyankoli 
all the shops remained closed. While autorickshaws and jeeps did not run 
buses plied as usual. However, the number of passengers was lesser than 
usual.
A procession led by N. Vasu of CPI (M) and Balakrishnan of AITUC was taken 
out.
At Kotagiri the majority of the shopkeepers downed shutters. Autorickshaws, 
taxies and jeeps did not run. A demonstration was held near the bus stand. 
Among those who participated was the district secretary CPI A. Bellie.
At Coonoor autorickshaws and taxies went off the roads. However, shops 
remained open. Some of the labourers in the market did not work.

http://www.thehindu.com/2008/06/08/stories/2008060853270300.htm

Tamil Nadu - Salem

Left parties protest against increase in petroleum products price
Special Correspondent
Bandh in Salem, Namakkal districts passes off peacefully

- Photo: P. Goutham

Joining hands: Loadmen blocking Langley Road at Sevvapet in Salem on 
Saturday to protest against the increase in the price of petroleum products.
SALEM: Cadres of CPI and CPI (M) resorted to agitations at several places in 
the districts of Salem and Namakkal to protest against the price hike of 
petroleum products, a part of their nation-wide strike, here on Saturday.
The police arrested nearly 700 of them. Barring an isolated incident of 
pelting stones at a bus near Komarapalayam in Namakkal district the 'bandh' 
in both the districts passed off peacefully.
Traffic hit
Though normal life remained unaffected with shops and business 
establishments remaining open and buses plying, traffic was paralysed for a 
few hours at various points in the city due to road blockades.
Load men belonging to CITU blocked the road at Sevvapet in Salem city.
A group led by urban secretary, CPI (M), M. Sethu Madhavan, staged an 
agitation in front of the Salem Collectorate.
Cadres of DYFI dragged autos by ropes and CPI cadres in Omalur attempted to 
picket Omalur Railway Station. Autos belonging to trade unions of CPI (M) 
and CPI kept off the roads.
The police made elaborate security arrangements in places of public 
congregation such as bus stands and railway stations.

http://www.thehindu.com/2008/06/08/stories/2008060853110300.htm

Kerala - Palakkad

Bus operators take out protest march
Staff Reporter
PALAKKAD: The Bus Operators Organisation here took out a march from the 
Municipal Bus Stand to the Collectorate by pulling a bus with rope to 
protest against the hike in the price of petroleum products.
They demanded that students' ticket concession rate be increased by 50 per 
cent in private buses. The march was led by its State general secretary T. 
Gopinathan and vice-president N. Vidyadharan. The meeting in front of the 
Collectorate was inaugurated by the organisation's district president V.N. 
Chandrasekharan.

http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080052298

Protesting Sena workers clash with police in Maharashtra
NDTV correspondent
Saturday, June 07, 2008, (Mumbai)
A scuffle broke out between Shiv Sainiks and the police in Nanded in 
Maharashtra on Saturday. The Shiv Sainiks were protesting against rising 
prices. They attacked 10-12 state transport buses.

When the police tried to stop them, they attacked the police too. Several 
policemen were beaten. The son of the Shiv Sena MLA from Nanded, Mahesh 
Khedkar also fired at the local police station.

The police have confiscated the revolver used in the firing. About 20 Shiv 
Sainiks have been detained by the police and a case registered against them 
.

http://www.thehindu.com/2008/06/07/stories/2008060760170600.htm

Tamil Nadu

Novel protest by BJP cadres
Special Correspondent
- Photo: G. Moorthy

Against price rise: BJP cadres staging a protest in Madurai on Friday.
MADURAI: Members of the Bharatiya Janata Party held a novel agitation here 
on Friday to protest the recent revision of prices of petroleum products.
They carried a two-wheeler on a bullock cart and conducted a mock funeral of 
liquefied petroleum gas cylinders as a mark of protest. The members, led by 
Sasiraman, president of the Madurai urban district unit, demanded an 
immediate roll back of prices of petrol, diesel and LPG.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/worldbiz/archives/2008/06/07/2003414053

Indian fuel protests disrupt rail and road transport, markets

DPA, NEW DELHI
Saturday, Jun 07, 2008, Page 10
Life in India's eastern state of West Bengal and southern Andhra Pradesh was 
disrupted yesterday after opposition parties called a day-long shutdown to 
protest a hike in fuel prices, officials said.
Demanding a rollback, the left-wing partners of the ruling United 
Progressive Alliance (UPA) launched weeklong protests on Thursday with a 
shutdown in the West Bengal, eastern Tripura and southern Kerala states, 
which they govern.

The strikes began a day after the UPA increased prices of petrol, diesel 
fuel and cooking gas by between 9.5 and 17 percent.

West Bengal was in the grip of the second day of the strike, which disrupted 
road and rail transport and was called by the opposition Trinamool Congress 
party.

Railway authorities said they canceled several trains and many long-distance 
trains were stranded at stations because of blockades put on the tracks by 
strike supporters.

Most shops and markets were closed and there were few vehicles on roads in 
the state's cities, particularly in and around its capital, Kolkata. 
Schools, colleges and educational institutions also remained closed.

Meanwhile, the strike call by the opposition Telegu Desam Party evoked a 
successful response in Andhra Pradesh with businesses shutting down and thin 
attendance in offices.

Opposition parties including the Bharatiya Janata Party and communist 
parties also called for a statewide strike and opposition activists held 
protests and sit-ins around Andhra Pradesh.

A near-shutdown was seen in the state capital, Hyderabad, and the other main 
cities, including Vishakapatnam, Vijaywada, Guntur, Kakinada, Tirupati and 
Medak, the IANS news agency reported.

Other news outlets reported that strikers had laid siege at state-run bus 
depots and threw stones at buses to stop road transport in the state.

Local train service was also disrupted in India's financial capital of 
Mumbai because of protests by the opposition Hindu nationalist Shiv Sena 
party.

The demonstrators, who carried out a rail blockade at one of the main rail 
lines in Mumbai, were dispersed by police later in the day.

In a related development, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh directed his 
Cabinet to adopt "austerity measures" and cut all wasteful expenditures, 
particularly on foreign travel, the Hindu newspaper reported.

The Congress Party-led UPA came to power in 2004, promising to alleviate 
economic hardships for the poor and farmers, but it has lost several key 
state elections and economic problems are expected to have a negative impact 
on its future electoral prospects.

A spate of state elections are scheduled over the next few months and 
general elections are due next year.

http://www.thehindu.com/2008/06/08/stories/2008060851590300.htm

It was a day of protests
Staff Correspondent

Raising slogans: Members of the women's wing of the BJP staging a rally in 
Hubli on Saturday to protest against the hike in the prices of petroleum 
products.
HUBLI: The twin cities witnessed several protests on Saturday against issues 
such as hike in the prices of petroleum products, shortage of fertilizers 
and seeds, and donation menace in educational institutions.
In Hubli, members of the women's wing of the Bharatiya Janata Party, led by 
Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation Council members Bharati Patil and 
Rajashri Jade, staged a demonstration at Brindavan Circle near Suburban 
police station demanding rollback of the hike in the prices of petroleum 
products.
Members of the Muslim League staged a protest near the office of the Hubli 
tahsildar and criticised the Union Government for increasing the prices of 
petrol, diesel and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders. They then 
submitted a memorandum, addressed to the Prime Minister, to the tahsildar.
In Dharwad, members of the Dharwad city unit of the Karnataka Rakshana 
Vedike protested against the "failure" of the Government in ensuring 
adequate supply of fertilizers and seeds. The vedike activists, led by 
president of the Dharwad city unit Shivaji Dembre and president of the 
Dharwad rural unit Rehman Holi, urged the Chief Minister to take immediate 
steps to supply adequate quantity of seeds and fertilizers, and distribute 
them at subsidised rates to farmers.
In Hubli, members of the Somavamsha Sahasrarujun Kshatriya Yuvakara Sangha 
staged a demonstration against educational institutions collecting 
donations.
The protesters, led by president of the sangha Anand Dalabhanjan, said that 
several educational institutions were collecting donations openly. They 
charged that officials of the Education Department had failed to take action 
against such institutions.
In Dharwad, members of Sri Ram Sena staged a demonstration in front of the 
office of the Deputy Commissioner demanding action against what they termed 
as "police atrocity" on the residents of Kurubagatti village near Dharwad.
The protesters alleged that instead of taking action against Rajasab Mulla, 
who allegedly tried to molest a woman, the police were harassing the 
resident of the village who had filed a complaint in this regard.

http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1172985

Navjot Sidhu loses head over inflation
Ajay Bharadwaj
Monday, June 23, 2008  14:41 IST

CHANDIGARH: Chandigarh Police matched on Monday BJP MP Navjot Singh Sidhu's 
antics to stage a street show that saw his turban being blown off with water 
cannons, even as the cricketer-turned-politician was detained for a couple 
of hours.
While Sidhu had procured horses and an elephant to attract public attention 
for his protest against the spiralling prices, the police had deployed an 
equal number of water cannons and even mounted them on horses to ensure 
ample drama in the demonstration.
Just when Sidhu was about to mount a jeep to be pulled by horses with a 
decked-up elephant in attendance, the police swooped down on him and his 
supporters preventing them from taking the protest out of the parade ground 
where they had assembled.
In the melee,  the elephant and horses ran helter-skelter, and the police 
resorted to mild lathicharge to disperse the demonstrating crowd.

http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/02/stories/2008070258720200.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Traders to stage protest tomorrow
Staff Reporter
CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu Vanigar Sangankalin Peravai has decided to organise 
a demonstration before Indian Oil Corporation's main office here on Thursday 
protesting the automobile fuel shortage and the resultant price rise of 
basic commodities. In a statement, peravai president T. Vellaiyan appealed 
to all those willing to join the demonstration to come on a bicycle to 
symbolically show their protest. His statement came on Tuesday, when 
motorists for the second consecutive day experienced difficulties in getting 
automobile fuels. Some of the outlets sold products at a premium. Customers 
complained that an Indian Oil Corporation outlet at Injambakkam charged 
Rs.195 for three litres of petrol. When asked for an official receipt, the 
person in charge of the dispenser said "do you need petrol or a receipt."
The police made surprise checks at fuel stations that announced "no stock" 
on Tuesday. Where there was no stock, petrol bunk operators were told to put 
up boards, police sources said. Several autorickshaw drivers capitalised on 
the fuel crisis and quoted even more unreasonable sums than they normally 
do. A driver in Central Chennai said: "I have bought petrol in black. You 
have to pay me more today."
Chief Secretary L.K.Tripathy said the State Government made inspections of 
the bunks to ensure that there was no hoarding. In the context of complaints 
that the bunks were selling only premium fuel, the administration 
categorically told the oil companies that there should not be any 
"premium-alone bunk." He also appealed to the public to use the public 
transport system more and said the administration had made arrangements for 
improving the services.

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/IRIN/d51e1d45923092ba19868c3e39706c07.htm

COTE D'IVOIRE: City on go-slow as residents protest sudden fuel price rise
14 Jul 2008 17:38:22 GMT
Source: IRIN
Reuters and AlertNet are not responsible for the content of this article or 
for any external internet sites. The views expressed are the author's alone.
ABIDJAN , 14 July 2008 (IRIN) - Thousands of business-owners have closed 
down their shops across the capital today and several of the city's main 
roads have been blocked in protest of a government decision to stop fuel 
subsidies, which caused prices to rise steeply overnight.
The government, which has been subsidising fuel prices for the past three 
years, removed these subsidies on 6 July because it could no longer afford 
to keep them in place. As a result the price of a litre of fuel rose by 29 
percent in 24 hours, and the price of diesel by 44 percent.
"After resisting for a long time, we did not have any alternative but to 
make this adjustment. It was a difficult decision to take," Prime Minister 
Guillaume Soro announced on the radio on 9 July, following a meeting with 
his Council of Ministers.
Sokouri Martin, a taxi driver, told IRIN, "Fuel prices are too high and 
consumers are on the brink of collapse.we decided not to work and to stop 
all other activities since this morning."
While a city-wide march planned for today did not go ahead, protesters took 
to the streets in Kumasi, south-east Abidjan, clashing with the police. 
Police have been deployed at strategic points across the capital ready to 
disperse demonstrators.
At least a dozen people were injured in demonstrations over the cost of 
living in Abidjan at the end of March 2008.
Lacine Kéïta, from the Consumers' Association of Côte d'Ivoire told IRIN, 
"We are not here to have a confrontation, but just to make sure our cries of 
distress are heard."
The price of a litre of fuel is now US$1.92 and a litre of diesel US$1.32. 
As a result of rising fuel costs some public transport companies increased 
their fees by between 25 and 75 percent over the course of the week.
The rising price of fuel is causing anger among residents across the city. 
"Before I used to pay US$2.90 to get to work and now I pay US$4.36 per day. 
It's intolerable," said Marlène Kassi, who works in a bank. "I think we will 
end up having to walk to work soon. This go-slow is to make the government 
understand that we can no longer live like this," she added.

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_world_business/view/361607/1/.html

Ivory Coast slashes oil prices after protests
Posted: 21 July 2008 0436 hrs

A service station attendant fills a car with fuel at a petrol station in 
Abidjan

ABIDJAN : Ivory Coast on Sunday slashed fuel prices and halved ministers' 
salaries in response to what Prime Minister Guillaume Soro called the common 
man's "cries of distress," following widespread protests.

"Hearing the cries of distress of the people, the government has decided to 
fix the price of diesel at 685 CFA francs (1.6 dollars, one euro) a litre 
instead of 785," Soro said after an emergency cabinet meeting.

The price of petrol was now fixed at 495 CFA francs a litre against 550, he 
said.

"We have decided to cut the basic salaries of all members of government by 
half," Soro added, in a bid to trim government spending in the world's top 
cocoa grower.

This was necessary as new transport subsidies would cost the state an 
additional 300 million euros annually.

Soro said overseas trips by government members would also be reduced to the 
"bare minimum."

Last week, Ivory Coast's economic heart Abidjan was crippled by a transport 
strike over fuel price hikes.

On July 7, Ivory Coast hiked diesel prices by 44 percent and petrol prices 
by 29 percent.

The government attributed the increase, the first since July 2005, to rising 
global oil prices and the cost of state subsidies to maintain domestic oil 
prices at manageable levels.

Ivory Coast, a former French colony and a west African economic powerhouse, 
was for years a paragon of stability in Africa.

But it was sliced in half after a September 2002 coup attempt against 
President Laurent Gbagbo.

After a peace accord agreed between the two sides in March 2007, a unity 
government was installed earlier this year with Gbagbo sharing power with 
former rebel chief Soro as his prime minister.

- AFP /ls