Protesting the State Government’s anti-farmer policy, over 50,000 farmers from more than 20 districts would block roads in the capital city on March 25, said members of the Naba Nirman Krushak Sangathan (NNKS) on Sunday.
NNKS president Akshaya Kumar told reporters that the State Government has failed to address the issues of the poor farmers. “The farmers need remunerative prices and bonus for their paddy and other crops to live with dignity. But the Government has done nothing, save lip-service,” he said, lamenting that the Government was only trying to suppress the farmer’s voice.
The NNKS would demand Rs 5,000 per quintal of paddy and Rs 300 as bonus on each quintal, besides pension of Rs 5,000 per month to each farmer, Kumar revealed, adding that various farmers’ bodies have been discussing with the Government to solve the farmer’s problems, but in vain. The Government lacks sincerity to solve the farmers’ problems which compelled the latter to stage a protest in front of the Chief Minister’s residence on December 17, Kumar maintained, saying, “Repeated police action and conspiracy will not suppress the peasants’ movement.”
NNKS joint coordinator Seshadev Nanda said the peasants’ movement would be intensified at the grassroots level with the help of various farmers’ organisations across the State. The NNKS has already organised meetings at the district level during the last three months seeking participation of the farmers for a mass movement against the Government’s apathy towards the farmers, he added.
Notably, the members of the NNKS had staged a demonstration in front of the Naveen Niwas and tried to gherao it violating prohibitory orders under section 144 Cr PC on December 17 last. As many as 58 persons were arrested in connection with the case.