Kochi: Protesting steep rises in petrol, diesel and cooking prices, the dawn-to-dusk motor strike called by Joint Protest Committee begins. The strike began 6 am morning and will end at 6 in the evening. KSRTC will run only essential services in the day. The strike meanwhile will not affect movement of private vehicles.
All organisations except BMS have joined the strike. The protest demands rollback of fuel prices, the increase of which has wrecked household finances caused by rise in everyday commodities and steep travel charges. The demands also include repeal of law mandating GPS system on every vehicle, Participating in today’s strike are : autos, taxis, small pickups, private buses and those of KSRTC.
The Joint Protest Committee has urged solidarity from private vehicle owners, requesting them to refrain from travel as much as possible.
Services exempted from the strike are: milk, newspaper, marriage vehicles and election-related vehicles. The Vyapari Association informed that, though in solidarity with the protest, the shop owners may keep their outlets open. Owing to strike, the SSLC model exams and university exams have been postponed.
