Kolhapur: Soaring fuel prices have triggered a wave of petrol thefts across the city, particularly in residential areas. CCTV footage from Rajarampuri 6th Lane shows masked individuals siphoning fuel from motorcycles parked in building basements. The price of petrol reached Rs 111.08 per litre and diesel Rs 98.84 per litre on Monday, marking the fourth increase in less than two weeks, with a steep rise of Rs 2.61 for petrol and Rs 2.71 for diesel.
Police Alert and Preventive Measures
An officer from Rajarampuri police station stated, "We have observed footage of masked men drawing petrol from bikes, although no formal complaint has been filed yet. We are alerting the public and advising them to lock their petrol tank lids or use external petrol locks to prevent theft." Residents are urged to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions.
Political Unrest and Protests
The price hike has also sparked political unrest. Activists from Shiv Sena (UBT) staged a rasta roko at the Uchagaon underpass on the Pune-Bengaluru National Highway, protesting the rising costs of fuel and LPG. The demonstration caused a traffic standstill for approximately 20 minutes.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Raju Yadav accused the central government of tactical pricing, stating, "During the recent elections in five states, the Centre kept fuel and LPG prices stable. As soon as the elections ended, prices began to climb. This pattern repeats every election cycle. This hike has driven up transportation costs, which in turn has inflated the prices of essential goods and vegetables. The BJP came to power in 2014 promising to curb inflation, but they have failed miserably."
Party workers warned of an indefinite blockade of the National Highway if the Centre fails to control fuel prices and inflation.
Fuel Supply Situation in Sangli
In neighboring Sangli, reports emerged of some petrol pumps running dry. However, district authorities dismissed claims of a shortage, stating that adequate stock—approximately 2,600 kilolitres of petrol and 3,000 kilolitres of diesel—remains available in the district.
