The Navnirman Krushak Sangathan (NKS), a body fighting for farmers’ causes, has reiterated its demand that the State Government provide pension to the farmers and admit the cases of farmers’ suicide.
“We demand Rs 21,600 as pension for each of the 36 lakh farmers of the State. We also demand that the Government admit farmers’ suicide. If the Government fails to fulfil our demands within 15 days, we will launch a civil disobedience movement,” said NKS State coordinator Akhaya Kumar at a Press meet here on Monday.
The NKS would continue to protest the apathetic attitude of the State and Central Governments towards peasants, he said.
He also said, “If the Government does not announce any benefits for the farmers during the coming Assembly session, the peasants will show what a befitting gift they can give to the Government.”
Earlier, the farmers’ body had organised Padayatra, Samavesh and hunger strike to mount pressure on the Government to meet its demands.
The NKS has been continuing farmer movements for the last five years demanding appropriate price, prestige and pension for farmers besides protection of indigenous people’s rights on land, water, forest and mining.
Among others, NKS members Seshadeba Nanda, Umakanta Bharat, Nimain Ray and Rashmiranjan Swain were present at the media meet.