A 12-hour bandh hit normal life at Bheden block in Bargarh district on Thursday. It was called by the Jai Kishan Andolan, a leading farmers’ association of Bargarh, led by its president Utparnna Kumar Bhoi to protest against nonpayment of crop insurance money.
The agitators staged road blockades by burning tyres at several places demanding immediate clearance of the crop insurance money. Business establishments, shops, offices, schools and other institutions remained closed due to the protest. A group of farmers has locked the Bheden Cooperative Bank since August 31 protesting non-fulfillment of their demand.
“We have been deprived of crop insurance under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana since long and we demand clearance of the pending dues. But the administration is not taking any interest,” said Jaikishan Andolan secretary Ramesh Mohapatra. He threatened to intensify the protest ahead.