Around 25 agitators belonging to the Nava Nirman Krushak Sangathan (NNKS), an outfit fighting for the cause of farmers across the State, were detained by the police on Monday outside Chief Secretary Bijay Kumar Patnaik’s residence while trying to gherao his house here at the Shisu Bhavan Square reiterating their demand for immediate compensation to the groundnut farmers of Jajpur district.
later in afternoon, the police released all the agitating farmers. led by NNKS convenor Akshay Kumar, the agitators shouting slogans marched towards Patnaik’s residence alleging that he does not show interest to provide compensation to the tune of Rs 15,000 per acre following total failure of groundnut crop.
According to Kumar, about 31,105 hectares of land had been covered under groundnut crop in Jajpur district. Due to some reason, the crop failed totally in 10 panchayats such as Badabalikuda, Barapada, Saudia, Balikuda, Kolanagiri, Majhipada, Gopalpur, Charinagal, Balipadia and Mandukanduka of Badachana block and Kodampal, Areikana, Kotapur of Dharmsala block affecting hundreds of farmers.
“During our last agitation on March 25, the Chief Secretary had assured us to convene a high-level meeting to discuss about the compensation but in vain. So, we come to meet him to inquire about the compensation, but the police personnel detained us,” said Kumar.