The Commissionerate police on Wednesday arrested hundreds of agitating farmers who were marching towards the State capital to take part in a mega farmers’ convention at PMG Square here organised by the Navnirman Krushak Sangathan (NKS) to protest against the State Government’s alleged indifference towards their longstanding demand of ‘Price, Prestige and Pension’ for farmers.
The NKS members were arrested after they staged road blockades on the National Highway as well as other important roads in the city after a faceoff with police. Those staging protests at Master Canteen Square and the local railway station were also arrested. Thousands and thousands of farmers took to the streets to pressurise the State Government to fulfil their demand. In order to avoid any untoward incident, adequate police forces were deployed at sensitive locations in and around the capital city.
The police also checked buses, trains and other passenger vehicles in various district headquarters and detained large numbers of NKS activities who were on their way to the State capital.
With the Budget Session of the State Assembly underway, the farmers have intensified their agitation. Under the slogan of ‘Price, Pension and Prestige’, they have been demanding a security allowance of Rs 5,000 per month for each of nearly 36 lakh farmers of the State.
Alleging that the State Government is trying to sabotage their protest, NKS convenor Akshay Kumar said the protest would be intensified further if the Government fails to announce provisions for farmers in the Budget.