Police says NO to rally against price hikes

Police have rejected the demand of the Consumers Association of Mauritius (ACIM) to hold a public demonstration against price hikes.

The rally was scheduled to take place on January 22, 2022 – four months after its first similar demonstration.

Reporting on a press conference held on Wednesday, January 19, Le Mauricien newspaper said ACIM Secretary-General Jayen Chellum was very critical of the decision – which he described as “an abuse of power by the authorities.”

According to him, police justified the refusal by claiming that the rally would be tantamount to “mutiny, rebellion, disobedience to the law or even disruption of life of the community.”

“By acting in this way,” Chellum said, “police are not only targeting ACIM but all possible protest movements that could take place in the future.”

The decision also goes against democratic rights, he added.

The consumer association announced that it will take legal action to challenge the police decision.