The Commisionerate police on Tuesday intercepted thousands of members of the Navnirman Krushak Sangathan (NKS), who were marching towards Bhubaneswar, at Balianta on the outskirts of the capital city.
The farmers under the banner of the NKS shouting slogans against the Government’s apathy towards them and holding placards were on their way to Bhubaneswar to gherao the State Assembly to press for their demands of “price, prestige and pension”.
But they were detained at the Balianta weekly market ground. While heavy police deployment was made at the ground, barricades were put up at important entry points to the city like at High-Tech Square and Palasuni Square to prevent them from entering into the city. But the agitators said the Government cannot deter them from raising their voice for fulfilment of their demands.
“We have been demanding a budget provision of Rs 21,600 crore towards pension of Rs 5,000 each per month to 36 lakh farmers. The Chief Minister should make his stand regarding our demand clear,” said NKS convenor Akshay Kumar.
He said the Government was not allowing them to enter the State capital as its image would be dented and it can play spoilsports in the forthcoming Dhamanagar Assembly by-election.
Latest reports said senior police officials were holding discussions with the agitators.