The Crossbill News Desk
In Karnataka’s Bagalkot district, Mudhol town witnessed a second day of intensifying protests as hundreds of farmers took to the streets on Saturday, blocking traffic and demanding immediate payment of long-pending sugarcane dues.
The agitation, centred at Sangolli Rayanna Circle, began around 4 pm and brought the State Highway to a standstill, as protesters pressed for the settlement of arrears from previous years and a revision of this season’s cane price, Deccan Herald reported.
Farmers alleged that several sugar factories have not yet cleared last year’s payments and urged the government to ensure the immediate release of the second installment for the 2024–25 crushing season.
“We do not agree with the price fixed by the State government this year, based on the deduction. We demand Rs 3,500 per tonne,” they told the newspaper.
Attempts by the deputy commissioner and police officials to negotiate with the agitators failed, prompting farmers to continue their road blockade.
Farmer leaders Basavant Kamble, Muttappa Kommar, and Eerappa Hanchinal reiterated that clearing past dues must be the government’s first priority. They accused authorities of fixing prices without consulting cultivators from Bagalkot and Belagavi districts. Factory owners, meanwhile, argued that paying Rs 3,500 per tonne would result in financial losses — a claim farmers dismissed, questioning how those “operating at a loss” were still able to establish multiple factories.
The protest, which began as an overnight sit-in on Friday, turned into a community gathering, with farmers camping under a makeshift stage at Sangolli Rayanna Circle.
Devotional songs were performed by Karnataka Rakshana Vedike leaders Ganapati Bovi and Srikant Magyadi’s team, while farmers from Budni PM taluk joined in solidarity. Raitha Sangha (Puttannayya Bana) State President Badgalapur Nagendra also visited the site, extending his organisation’s full support.
The demonstration drew support from ex-servicemen, members of the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, and workers of the SDPI party.
Many farmers prepared and shared food on the streets, turning the protest into a symbol of collective resilience. Heavy police deployment remained in place to maintain law and order. Leaders including Basavantappa Kamble, Dundappa Yaragatti, Subhash Shirboor, Muttappa Komar, Eerappa Hanchinal, Mahesh Patil, and Hanamant Biradar Patil were among those leading the agitation.
The agitation, centred at Sangolli Rayanna Circle, began around 4 pm and brought the State Highway to a standstill, as protesters pressed for the settlement of arrears from previous years and a revision of this season’s cane price, Deccan Herald reported.
Farmers alleged that several sugar factories have not yet cleared last year’s payments and urged the government to ensure the immediate release of the second installment for the 2024–25 crushing season.
“We do not agree with the price fixed by the State government this year, based on the deduction. We demand Rs 3,500 per tonne,” they told the newspaper.
Attempts by the deputy commissioner and police officials to negotiate with the agitators failed, prompting farmers to continue their road blockade.
Farmer leaders Basavant Kamble, Muttappa Kommar, and Eerappa Hanchinal reiterated that clearing past dues must be the government’s first priority. They accused authorities of fixing prices without consulting cultivators from Bagalkot and Belagavi districts. Factory owners, meanwhile, argued that paying Rs 3,500 per tonne would result in financial losses — a claim farmers dismissed, questioning how those “operating at a loss” were still able to establish multiple factories.
The protest, which began as an overnight sit-in on Friday, turned into a community gathering, with farmers camping under a makeshift stage at Sangolli Rayanna Circle.
Devotional songs were performed by Karnataka Rakshana Vedike leaders Ganapati Bovi and Srikant Magyadi’s team, while farmers from Budni PM taluk joined in solidarity. Raitha Sangha (Puttannayya Bana) State President Badgalapur Nagendra also visited the site, extending his organisation’s full support.
The demonstration drew support from ex-servicemen, members of the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, and workers of the SDPI party.
Many farmers prepared and shared food on the streets, turning the protest into a symbol of collective resilience. Heavy police deployment remained in place to maintain law and order. Leaders including Basavantappa Kamble, Dundappa Yaragatti, Subhash Shirboor, Muttappa Komar, Eerappa Hanchinal, Mahesh Patil, and Hanamant Biradar Patil were among those leading the agitation.
Comments (0)
Leave a Comment