leading farmers’ outfit Navnirman Krushak Sangathan (NKS) along with various other peasants’ organisations held a two-hour ‘Chakka Jam’ strike across the State on Friday expressing solidarity with the cause of the six farmers killed in the recent police firing in Madhya Pradesh.
The NKS also reiterated its demand for “price, prestige and pension” for farmers.
Train movements were severely affected as the protestors squatted on the tracks at the Bhubaneswar railway station. However, following the intervention of GRP and RPF personnel, the protestors withdraw their strike.
Demonstrations were also held at Master Canteen Square and Jayadev Square in the city. At Master Canteen Square, the protestors under the banner of the Odisha Bhumi Adhikar Andolan and the police scuffled during the demonstration. The police detained a number of protestors.
The farmers’ outfits have been demanding immediate implementation of the MS Swaminathan Committee report, farm loan waiver and payment of minimum support price for farm produces.
Various peasants and mass organisations like Odisha Krushak Sabha, All India Krantikari Kisan Sabha, Odisha Chasi Mulia Sangh, CITU, All India Kishan Sabha, AIKMS, All India People's Forum, Indian Social Action Forum(INSAF), Odisha Adivasi Adhikar Manch, Basti Surakshya Manch, Campaign for Survival and Dignity, Janabadi lekhak Sangh, National Hawkers Federation, lokshakti Abhijan and Samajwadi Kisan Sangh took part in the protest.
leaders of various organisations like Suresh Panigrahi, Prafulla Samantara, Narendra Mohanty, Sivaram, Srikant Mohanty, Radhakant Sethi, Bishnu Mohanty, Pramila Behera, Jayant Das, Mahendra Parida, Biswapriya Kanungo, Amiya Pandav, Srimant Mohanty, Jagannath Mishra and many others headed the protest.
Similar protests were also held in other districts of the State.
Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister Damodar Rout said he has no idea about the farmers’ agitation. If anybody wishes, he can meet him and discuss about the problems.