Police say NO to protest against rise in fuel prices and inflation

Police have disallowed a rally planned by the Association of Consumers of Mauritius (ACIM) on March 19 to protest against the recent rise in fuel prices and soaring inflation.

ACIM secretary general Jayen Chellum had earlier announced the protest on the claims that the government “is not listening to the suffering of the population”.

He had also criticised the lack of transparency on the revenues collected by the State Trading Corporation (STC) on fuel.

The refusal to allow the protest has reportedly been blasted by Chellum – who claimed it has the right to denounce measures that put unnecessary burden on the public.

While announcing ACIM’s intention to go to Court, Chellum urged the government to set up a special fund that would subsidise basic commodities.

Local media cited unnamed police sources as arguing that the ACIM didn’t abide by police instructions during its last rally. Thousands had attended ACIM’s previous rally.