Congress hits streets in protest against hike in fuel prices; tear gas and water cannons used

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Congress has intensified protest against the ‘back-breaking’ increase in cess for fuel prices in the state. Stones were hurled at the police forces after which the retribution saw the use of tear gas and water cannons. Oddly enough, tomatoes and eggs were aimed at the police by congress workers. All the protests took in front of collectorate offices of different districts. The Congress president previously informed that the mode of protest will be non-violence. But the words didn’t walk the talk as barricades were overthrown and attacks were triggered by congress workers which forced the police to act defensively.

Leaders including VS Sivakumar and Bindhu Krishna participated in the protest and made it stern that the protest will see an end only after the government rescinds its decision to take back the cess induced. Meanwhile, it is said that the government won't go back on the decision regarding fuel prices. The left government is discerning that towing to the opposite demands will bruise them politically, so they will keep the increase of cess intact. Left ally CPI has not yet come against the decision but strikingly enough, the CPI-affiliated AITUC has shown objection to the government's move.