The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) on Saturday staged a protest demonstration in Dimapur against the rising prices of petrol, diesel and LPG, accusing the BJP-led Central Government and the NPF-BJP coalition government in Nagaland of imposing an increasing financial burden on common citizens.
Party leaders, workers and supporters participated in the protest, raising concerns over the impact of fuel and cooking gas price hikes on households, farmers, transport operators and small businesses. The demonstrators demanded an immediate rollback of the recent increase in fuel prices and called upon both the Centre and the State Government to take measures to provide relief to the public.
The Congress leaders staged protest outside Town Hall Dimapur and marched to a Petrol Pump at Walford where they addressed a gathering.
Addressing the gathering, NPCC Working President, Apok Jamir said the people were being pushed to a critical juncture where they could no longer remain silent in the face of rising economic hardships.
He alleged that the increase in petrol, diesel and LPG prices was a result of what he termed “misgovernance and mismanagement” by the BJP-led government.
He said the price escalation has affected every section of society, including farmers, transport operators, taxi drivers, autorickshaw operators, workers and homemakers.
Jamir said until and unless the Government reduces, rolls back on the prices of diesel and petrol, as well as LPG gas, it is not going to help the common people.
Referring to international developments, Jamir acknowledged that the government often cites global conflicts such as those in the Middle East and Ukraine as reasons for rising prices. However, he argued that even when global crude oil prices had fallen significantly in the past, the government did not lower the price of petrol or gas.
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He further alleged that ordinary citizens were bearing the burden while a few corporate interests benefited. He urged people across Nagaland to raise their voices against what he termed an unjust economic policy. He also called upon the State Government and all 60 legislators in Nagaland to collectively raise their voice and not be silent.
Also addressing the gathering, Dimapur District Congress Committee (DCC) President Kutuho Chishi alleged that the ruling governments at both the Centre and the State had contributed to the economic difficulties faced by citizens.
Chishi claimed that repeated increases in the prices of fuel and essential commodities were placing immense pressure on household budgets. He expressed concern over the sharp rise in LPG cylinder prices, stating that it had become increasingly difficult for many families, especially women managing household expenses, to cope with the growing cost of living.
“…we are being subjected to so much hardship. Gas prices have been raised so drastically, as well as the prices of petrol and diesel. This is not a national crisis; this is a crisis deliberately created for us. We are facing an economic crisis,” he said.
Emphasising that the protest was not merely a political exercise, Chishi said the issue concerned every citizen irrespective of political affiliation. He appealed to civil society organisations, tribal bodies and the general public to join efforts aimed at seeking relief from rising fuel and cooking gas prices.
The DCC president also criticized the level of Value Added Tax (VAT) imposed on fuel in Nagaland and urged citizens to examine how taxation contributed to the final retail price of petrol and diesel.
Calling the demonstration the beginning of a larger campaign, he urged the Central Government and the NPF-BJP coalition government in Nagaland to immediately reduce the prices of petrol, diesel and LPG, stating that the increasing cost of essential commodities was placing an unsustainable burden on ordinary people.
President, NSUI, X Chopika appealed to the Gen Zs and the public to come out and protest against the price rise.
“We have protested against price rises, from petrol and diesel to protesting for electricity last time, and we are protesting for the roads as well. On all issues, on all aspects, we are standing up for the public. So even if you cannot physically step out to protest,” he said and requested everyone to give support to the Congress party.
Others who spoke on the occasion include Javed Sarwar, Chairman, Minority Department; Meshenlo Kath, Chairman, Research Cell, NPCC and Rajesh Sethi, AICC Coordinator, Minority Department. Vote of thanks was delivered by Andrew Humtsoe, Chairman, media and publicity.
