Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, MAY 30 (NPN): Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) on Saturday staged a protest rally in Dimapur against rising petrol, diesel and LPG prices, demanding an immediate rollback of recent hikes and reduction of fuel taxes, while accusing the BJP-led governments at the Centre and in the state of burdening citizens with rising living costs.
The protest march began from Dimapur Town Hall and proceeded towards the Supermarket petrol pump area, with participants carrying placards and raising slogans against fuel price hikes, inflation and taxation policies.
Addressing the gathering, NPCC general secretary L. Chuba Yimchunger said rising fuel prices had triggered inflation across sectors, increasing transportation costs and the prices of essential commodities.
“When petrol and diesel prices rise, transportation fares increase and the cost of vegetables and other necessities follows. Common people are bearing the burden from every side,” he said.
Yimchunger also expressed concern over the increase in LPG cylinder prices, claiming that many households were being compelled to return to firewood and charcoal for cooking, exposing women and children to health risks caused by indoor air pollution.
Questioning the Centre’s fuel taxation policy, he alleged that despite relatively stable global crude oil prices, consumers continued to face high fuel costs. He demanded a reduction in taxes to provide relief to the public.
NPCC working president C. Apok Jamir described the protest as a public movement arising from the hardships faced by ordinary citizens rather than a purely political exercise. “Farmers, transport workers, taxi drivers, homemakers and daily wage earners are all affected by rising diesel, petrol and LPG prices. The impact is felt in every aspect of daily life,” he said.
Jamir alleged that the government frequently cited international conflicts and global market conditions to justify higher fuel prices but failed to pass on benefits to consumers when crude oil prices declined.
He called upon citizens, civil society organisations and Nagaland’s legislators to raise their voices and press the Centre to reduce fuel and cooking gas prices.
Launching a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, NSUI president X. Chopika accused the government of being insensitive to the difficulties faced by ordinary citizens. He alleged that issues such as inflation, unemployment and rising household expenses were being ignored while fuel prices continued to rise.
Chopika also questioned comparisons between Indian fuel prices and those in Western countries, arguing that differences in income levels and purchasing power should be taken into account.
Dimapur District Congress Committee (DDCC) president Kutoho Chishi claimed that rising fuel prices had added to the financial strain on households and contributed to higher prices of essential commodities. “LPG cylinder prices have crossed Rs 1,000, placing additional pressure on families already struggling with inflation,” he said.
Chishi also alleged that high VAT on petrol and diesel in Nagaland was further increasing the burden on consumers and maintained that the protest was aimed at securing relief for the public.
NPCC research chairman Meshenlo Kath said inflation was affecting all sections of society and urged young people not to remain indifferent to issues related to rising prices, unemployment and governance.
AICC minority coordinator Rajesh Sethi accused the BJP-led government of generating massive revenue through fuel taxes while failing to provide relief to consumers. He also expressed concern over unemployment and growing financial stress on families, warning that prolonged economic hardship could have wider consequences.
The protest concluded with Congress leaders demanding an immediate rollback of petrol, diesel and LPG price hikes, reduction of fuel taxes and broader public participation in future campaigns against inflation and rising living costs.