A farmers’ group in protest of the delay in paddy procurement blocked National Highway-26 at Jharkundamala in Kalahandi district on Wednesday.
The farmers belonged to the Dharmagarh, Junagarh and Kalampur areas. The blockade hit vehicular communications badly with the Jeypore-Bhawanipatna route being completely cut off. Sources said that the Kalahandi mandi has been closed since June 1. Because of this, several quintals of paddy is lying in the yard unsold. Despite repeated requests, the paddy is not being picked up. The delay in paddy procurement forced the farmers to hold the road blockade.