The Hindu : International : Social law protests spread in Russia

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jan 17, 2005

International

International

Social law protests spread in Russia

ST.PETERSBURG, JAN. 16. Massive protests against social benefit cuts blocked traffic in President Vladimir Putin's home city for the second consecutive day on Sunday and spread across Russia in the most serious show of public discontent since he took power five years ago.

About 10,000 of elderly protesters flooded St. Petersburg's major thoroughfares for most of the day Saturday, paralysing traffic and prompting a local Governor to promise travel passes at subsidised prices.

But angry crowds returned to the city's central Nevsky Prospect on Sunday afternoon and blocking traffic. About 1,000 protesters waved red flags and chanted slogans calling for Mr. Putin to step down. The protests, which also spread to other cities across Russia's 11 time zones, were triggered by the law that gives retirees and war veterans cash stipends instead of free public medicine and transportation. — AP

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