Illegal Protest Against Fuel Prices: Eight Truckers Released

Jayen Chellum, general secretary of the Consumers' Association of Mauritius (PMAC), can claim victory following the decision of the court of second instance of Port-Louis to remove the police charges against eight drivers for demonstration November 3, 2008 in the capital to protest against the constant increase in fuel prices. 

In its ruling, the magistrate Meenakshee Gayan-Jaulimsingh said that there is no formal charges against Ootam Lalit, Kumar Kishore, Kumar Caussy, Parsad Sailendra, Oumesh Sookun, Nundeo Punchoo, Ramesh Pagooah, Krishnaduth Bundhoo and Kritanand sagum. Yet they were all charged with " unlawful assembly Remaining in Year After warning , "in violation of Article 142 (1) (2) of the Penal Code. 

Arrested the same day that the truck drivers, Jayen Chellum had also faced trial with 70 of their colleagues gathered under the umbrella of Platform Kont Ogmantasion Tax Abuziv Lor Produit Petrolier  (PKOTAPP). However, they have all been bleached Court of Port Louis in February 2010 for this operation escargot, Judge Priscilla Veerabadren noting that the formal charge has not been lodged. 

It is this manifestation of November 3, 2008 that prompted the government cut subsidies to the PMAC on the grounds that it jeopardized the future of college students who were late because of this action in their exams of Higher School Certificate (HSC), forcing the secretary general of the association to a hunger strike. 

Shortly before, Jayen Chellum had his head shaved by Eddy Sadien front of the hotel and had the government faces another trial that was subsequently removed.