BJP workers storm Raj Bhavan
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, February 21 2011: Around 100 BJP workers on Monday stormed Raj Bhavan and shouted slogans for about 20 minutes demanding check and control of sky high prices of essential commodities, corruption and an end to the government impasse with teachers.

The BJP leaders and workers accused the SPF government led by O Ibobi Singh of not taking up appropriate measures to check increasing prices of essential commodities.

They further demanded the Governor's intervention in checking the rampant corruption practices of the SPF government and in solving the impasse between the government and striking teachers.

The workers retreated from the gate after police allowed six representatives of the BJP to call on the Governor and submit a memorandum.

Their memorandum demanded prompt action for streamlining the public distribution system and to redress the demands of the teachers in the larger interest of the students, at the earliest.

The memorandum further insisted the Governor to advise the CM in this regard.

BJP president Sh Shantikumar said that people have suffered the consequences of an unprecedented and unabated price rise of essential commodities during and after the economic blockade on the life lines of NH 39 and 53.He said smugglers and hoarders are playing inhuman activities while dealing with the items.

Though price of petroleum products have increased, it has been found that when there is normal supply of petrol there is also the occasional non-availability of diesel and kerosene.

These items are being bought in the black market without any checks and controls, he added.

Shantikumar recalled the teachers have been launching democratic protests since 2009 demanding the implementation of provision of six pay commission.

After a numbers of negotiations, a MoU was signed in January 10, 2010 in which the government agreed to pay the revised pay bands of the sixth pay commission.

But with the government's inaction, teachers have resorted to the democratic form of a fast-unto-death stir.

The adamant attitude of the government is condemnable, he added.

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