By Tangpua Siamchinthang
Imphal Nov 19: Petroleum prices skyrocketed in northwestern Burma soon after the Burmese military junta increased the price of diesel and petrol price by 100 percent in Burma on August 15.
The price of diesel touched Kyat 8000 from Kyat 4000 per a gallon while that of petrol rose from Kyat 5000 to Kyat 7000 a gallon in Falam town, Chin state.
In Kalay town, Sagaing division, the price of diesel mounted to Kyat 2500 from Kyat 4800 a gallon and petrol touched Kyat 1500 from Kyat 1200 per gallon.
“With the increase in fuel prices in Rangoon, bus fares in Kalay and Chin state have also risen. Most people are avoiding use of their cars to go out except in an emergency because of the high price of fuel,” said a local in Kalay.
Bus fares on the Kalay–Falam route have risen from Kyat 3500 to Kyat 7000 while on the Kalay – Hakha route it is Kyat 10,000 up from Kyat 5,000. Taxis operating from Kalay to Tahan are charging Kyat 400 (previous fare Kyat 300) and line bus fares have gone up to up to Kyat 120 from Kyat 60.
Hundreds of protestors held street rallies over the massive increase of fuel price in Rangoon on August 23. Around 100 protesters were arrested including prominent activist Min Ko Naing by junta backed thugs of Union of Solidarity and Development Association (USDA) and Swan-Aa-Shin. Some were released later.
On August 20, around 400 protesters led by 88 generation student leaders Min Ko Naing, Ko Ko Kyi and Ko Htay Kywe held peaceful demonstrations in Rangoon.
