Commercial vehicle owners in Mizoram are set to kick start an indefinite strike from October 23, demanding a reduction in fuel prices in the state.
The decision follows a significant increase in petrol and diesel rates, which have risen sharply since September 1.
Petrol prices surged from ₹93.93 to ₹99.24 per litre, while diesel rates increased from ₹82.62 to ₹88.02 per litre.
In a cabinet meeting held on October 17, the Mizoram government announced that it would not reverse the hike in fuel prices, prompting 11 commercial vehicle owners' associations to declare their strike.
Initially, these owners had planned to strike from October 14 but postponed their action after Chief Minister Lalduhoma appealed for patience, assuring them that their concerns would be addressed at the cabinet meeting scheduled for October 16.
The Mizoram Commercial Vehicle Union (MCVU) issued a statement on Saturday, announcing that all commercial vehicles would remain off the roads indefinitely from October 23.
This decision was made in response to the government’s refusal to lower fuel prices, which the union argues contradicts commitments made by the chief
minister to both the MCVU and various civil society organisations regarding a reduction in prices.
The MCVU highlighted that union leaders met with Lalduhoma on October 11, during which the chief minister urged them to await the cabinet meeting.
Prior to this, the union had also heeded a request from the NGO Coordination Committee (NGOCC)—a coalition of significant civil societies and student organisations—to cancel their proposed strike on October 14.
At that time, Lalduhoma informed the committee that the government was considering a reduction in fuel prices and had decided to suspend the order for a price hike until after the cabinet meeting.
The government had raised the Value Added Tax (VAT) on petrol from 5.23% to 10% and on diesel from 16.36% to 18%.
Additionally, a new levy of ₹2 per litre was imposed on both fuels for social infrastructure and services cess, alongside another ₹2 per litre for road maintenance.
The MCVU emphasised that the fuel price hike has adversely affected not just commercial vehicle operators but the general public as well. They are demanding a ₹5 reduction per litre for both petrol and diesel.
On October 17, Lalduhoma reaffirmed that the cabinet's decision to maintain the elevated fuel prices, which were imposed on September 1, would stand.
He defended the increase as necessary for funding social infrastructure and road maintenance, arguing that it ultimately serves the welfare of the people.
Despite the VAT hike and the newly imposed cess, Lalduhoma asserted that the current prices remain lower than those prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
He also noted that three northeastern states—Assam, Sikkim, and Nagaland—are currently levying higher fuel prices than Mizoram.
As the strike approaches, the situation remains tense, with commercial vehicle owners preparing to take their grievances to the streets, seeking relief from rising fuel costs that have burdened both their livelihoods and the broader community.
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