The protests began after 14th August, in response to a steep and sudden state-imposed rise in fuel prices. Petrol prices went up by two thirds, diesel prices doubled and the cost of compressed natural gases rose five-fold. The price of staple goods, such as rice, went up as a result and many people were unable to afford bus fares to go to work.

http://web.amnesty.org/pages/mmr-260907-news-eng

lets hope with the World watching this will not become a huge tragedy.