Rising prices of essential commodities have triggered protests in different parts of Assam, with organisations accusing both the Centre and the state government of failing to control inflation.

Members of the Asom Jatiyotabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad (AJYCP) staged a protest in Ledo under Tinsukia district on Tuesday, May 26, demanding immediate steps to curb the continuous increase in prices of fuel, food items, cooking gas and medicines.

Hundreds of AJYCP leaders and activists, under the organisation’s Margherita Regional Committee, took out a rally from Ledo Birla Gate, Tiniali to Ledo Petrol Pump along National Highway 315. Protesters raised slogans against the BJP-led governments at the Centre and in Assam over the rising cost of living.

The demonstrators alleged that the “abnormal increase” in prices of petrol, diesel and daily essentials had put severe pressure on common people. They also urged the government and the supply department to intervene immediately and stabilise prices.

Similar protests were also witnessed in Sivasagar, where the All Sivasagar Unit (ASU) organised a demonstration at Dalmukh Chariali against the continuing rise in fuel and essential commodity prices.

During the protest, activists burned effigies on the road, including one of Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, to express anger over the fuel price hike.

Despite heavy police barricading in the area, protesters continued with the demonstration programme.

ASU district president Manav Hazarika, who led the protest, strongly criticised both the central and state governments, accusing them of failing to provide relief to the public amid soaring prices.