Koksara (Kalahandi): Vehicular movement on the National Highway-26 came to a grinding halt after hundreds of farmers hit the streets at Ampani near Dharmagarh raising various demands including drought-hit status for Koksara block Saturday.
This interrupted the traffic between Bhawanipatna and Jeypore, giving a tough time to commuters. Normal life was hit as many people were left stranded following the demonstration. According to sources, hundreds of farmers under the aegis of Koksara ‘Sachetana
Chasi Sangathan Mancha’ gathered on the national highway and staged an economic blockade to press for their demands.
As a result of the demonstration, vehicles were left stranded on both sides of the National Highway while the road link between Bhawanipatna and Jeypore was also disrupted. The farmers’ outfit began their 12-hour protest from 7 am and several other organisations also extended support to the economic blockade.
The farmers said a committee should visit their paddy fields to estimate the quantum of their crop loss due to drought and they be compensated for the same. They also demanded an MSP of Rs 3,000 per quintal of paddy and pension for the farmers.
On receiving information, police rushed to the spot and held discussions with agitating farmers. The protest continued till the filing of this report.
PNN