Linion Pep Morisien announces another success on the second day of the Fuel Strike. The ‘Go-Slow Operation’ was maintained as planned and the threat of a fine of Rs 10,000 under the Road Traffic Act to anyone causing traffic jams did not intimidate the Mauritians. LPM made it clear that no one can prove that the protesters obstructed the law.
The route of the LPM procession
The ‘Go-Slow Operation’ started at 2pm, after the exams, as promised by LPM. The route started in Bell-Village in front of the Post Office and ended at rue Saint-Denis in Port-Louis after having crisscrossed the Capital under the instructions of Bruneau Laurette to drive at only 20 km/h in protest at the increase in fuel prices. Heavy traffic jams were caused by the procession, especially on Labourdonnais Street in Port Louis. This operation was to force the government to review the prices of fuel, which have increased by 10% since Wednesday evening, 18 May. The price of petrol has risen from Rs 67.40 to Rs 74.10 per liter, and Rs 49.60 to Rs 54.55 per liter for diesel. LPM is calling for a reduction to around Rs 52.
The Pope Hennessy Road was closed to traffic due to parliamentary works till around 4 pm. There was a heavy police presence on all the streets used by the procession and even, air cover by helicopters. Some participants were fined, including 6 in the North, in Réduit and in the East mainly.
LPM Ultimatum still valid
At the post-event press conference, LPM members expressed their joy at the success of the operation. Dev Sunassy made it clear that “today’s operation was just a trailer“. For his part, Bruneau Laurette said that “It is important to fight a disciplined battle, our battle is your battle, your battle is our headache. On the other hand, the police will not be able to prove that we obstructed… I remind Mauritians that the power is in their hands and not the government or Pravind Jugnauth.” Rama Valayden, for his part, returned to the measures announced in their budgetary proposals on the reduction of fuel prices but also on the many citizen activities of Linion Pep Morisien, created on 21 March 2022, since its two months of existence, especially this Fuel Strike. He also announced several upcoming activities, including a gathering of 50 leaders of several organizations participating in the activities of the LPM, including the association of Taxis, Trucks, Vans Lékol, ‘Plateforme Travayer Maleré, Association of Fishermen of Grand Gaube, representatives of teachers of religious schools, among others. The LPM recalled that the ultimatum to Pravind Jugnauth is still for Friday 27 May, and only then will the LPM popularize “What’s next!”
