Imphal, April 17: As a part of the country-wide protest movements launched by the CPI against escalating prices of essential commodities, the CPI Manipur State unit staged protest sittings here today.

The twin protest sittings at Porompat in Imphal East district and the Keishampat Lairembi Lampak in Imphal West district were jointly organised by the Manipur Loumee Lup, All Manipur Nupi Marup, AITUC Manipur, AIYF and AISF. Similar protest sittings have also been planned for tomorrow at Moirang Lamkhai and Nambol in Bishnupur district and Thoubal parking and Kakching in Thoubal district.

The main demands of the protest movement included controlling the hike in prices of essential commodities, stabilisation of the prices of essential commodities at appropriate prices, purchasing agricultural produces from the farmers at rates commensurate to their labour and investment, streamlining the PDS all over the country and prevention of hoarding food items for profit etc.

Speaking at the protest venues, many leaders of the CPI alleged that the UPA Government has failed to control the prices of essential commodities resulting in devaluation of rupee.

In Manipur, the prices of essential commodities are still higher as compared to other States of India.

People are heavily burdened by levying of illegal taxes on essential commodities by different organisations, they asserted.

After the 2008-09 was tabled in the Parliament and the 6th Pay Commission adopted, the prices of different commodities have risen many times thereby giving a big blow to the economic life of the poor people of the country, the CPI leaders observed.

Asserting that people are doubtful about the food security of the country, they contended that the Government has failed to deliver PDS goods to the targeted people.

They also appealed to other political parties, social organisations and other democratic forces to join the movement being undertaken against the soaring prices of essential commodities in the country.

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