The Communist Party of India (Marxist) organised mass demonstrations across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands on March 18, raising concerns over rising LPG prices, persistent power cuts and reduced water supply, with large gatherings reported in Sri Vijaya Puram and Diglipur.
The main protest was held in front of the Municipal Council at Aberdeen Bazar, where party leaders and residents assembled in the evening to press for immediate intervention on essential service issues affecting daily life. Protesters demanded a rollback of the recent increase in LPG cylinder prices, restoration of uninterrupted electricity supply and an end to curtailment of water distribution in both urban and rural areas.
Addressing the gathering, former CPI(M) State Secretary KG Das criticised the recent hike in LPG prices, linking it to global geopolitical developments. He said the increase had come in the wake of tensions involving Iran and what he described as actions backed by the United States and Israel. He argued that such developments were placing an additional burden on citizens in developing countries, including India.
D. Ayyappan, Secretary of the CPI(M) Andaman and Nicobar State Organising Committee, also addressed the demonstration, stating that the ongoing conflict involving Iran was having a wider economic impact on countries in the global south. He criticised the central government’s response, alleging a departure from its earlier position of condemning such actions.
Ayyappan further expressed concern over the availability of LPG cylinders and petroleum products, warning of possible shortages in the coming days both across the country and in the Islands. He also raised issues related to reduced water supply in municipal and rural areas, describing the situation as unjustified.
On the issue of electricity, he attributed the continued power cuts in the Islands to administrative shortcomings, stating that disruptions have persisted for several years. The demonstration highlighted these concerns as part of a broader demand for improved public services and accountability.
Several other leaders, including P. Sathyapal, P. Banerjee and R. Surendran Pillai, spoke at the event, reinforcing the demands raised by the party. The protest was led by members of the CPI(M) State Secretariat and Organising Committee, along with area committee representatives. A large number of residents from across Sri Vijaya Puram participated in the demonstration.
A parallel protest was also held in Diglipur, where participants gathered in front of the office of the Assistant Commissioner. The demonstration there echoed the same demands, focusing on LPG pricing, electricity supply and water availability.
The Diglipur programme was inaugurated by CPI(M) State Organising Committee member Ramjeeban Sarkar, while Sunil Bepari addressed the participants. The protest was led by Dilip Karmakar, along with Anil Halder and Barun Biswas, who are associated with the party’s area committees. Officials noted that the turnout reflected local concerns over essential services in the northern parts of the Islands as well.
The coordinated demonstrations across locations underline growing public concern over the cost of living and access to basic utilities. The party maintained that the issues raised require immediate policy attention to prevent further disruption to daily life in the Islands.
