Opposition parties stages massive protests

Chennai: The DMK-led opposition parties staged protests across Tamil Nadu on Monday demanding the complete rollback of the recently hiked bus fare. DMK working president M.K. Stalin warned that the agitations would be intensified if the state government did not reduce the fares at once.

Mr Stalin, among those arrested, said shortly after his release later in the day that the Opposition parties would step up the agitation till “justice” is ensured for people.

MDMK chief Vaiko and VCK founder Thol Thirumavalavan were detained with DMK workers at Saidapet when they staged protests demanding the immediate rollback of the hike effected on January 19 for ticket prices of buses operated by transport corporations by about 20 to 54.54 per cent. Members of the Congress, Left parties, DMDK and VCK too participated. Mr Stalin was detained at Kolathur here along with scores of party workers and other opposition party members.

Warning of intensifying the protests, Mr Stalin said the government's move to marginally reduce the fares was a mere “eye wash.” “These protests will not end today... If the government does not withdraw the hike, our protests will intensify,” he told reporters later. He also demanded the state government to convene an all-political party meeting to resolve the crisis.

The Tamil Nadu government had on Sunday revised the bus fares marginally, owing to protests by opposition parties and the public, especially students, over the recent “steep” hike.

The reduction of fares was between two paise to 10 paise per km for various categories of buses and routes such as city, districts, express and ordinary services, a government release said. In Chennai city, bus fares have been cut by Re 1 across various stages. The minimum fare would now be Rs 4 and the maximum '18. The revision will come into effect from today.

“Thousands had participated in the protest. Members of DMK, Congress, Communist parties and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi have turned up in large numbers. In short, the opposition has come on a single platform against the bus fare hike,” said a DMK headquarters office-bearer. The decision to stage road roko today was taken at an all-party meeting chaired by Stalin here on Sunday.