THOUSANDS of farmers staged a massive protest against the anti-farmers’ policies of the Madhya Pradesh Government at Patan Square, on Wednesday. Acting on a joint call by the Bharatiya Kisan Sangathan and Sanyukt Kisan Manch, farmers from across the district took to the streets with a massive tractor rally and laid siege to the SDM office. The agitation was triggered by issues related to irregularities in paddy procurement, electricity supply, fertilizer shortage and long-pending payments.

 

From early morning, convoys of tractors gathered at Patan Chouraha, which emerged as epicenter of protest. Due to the rally, one side of the road at the sqaure remained blocked for over four hours, affecting traffic. Heavy police deployment was made to maintain law and order. Addressing the public meeting, farmer leaders alleged that paddy stored in threshing yards was being illegally sealed, causing mental and financial harassment.

 

They also protested against alleged illegal deductions during procurement in the name of loading charges. Farmers placed key demands before the administration, including stopping the sealing of paddy stocks, ensuring 10 hours of uninterrupted power supply, cancellation of notices related to stubble burning, early release of pending payments, higher procurement limits, availability of fertilizers on cash payment, and fixing MSP at Rs 3,100 per quintal for paddy and Rs 2,700 for wheat.

 

Leaders warned that if demands were not addressed, the agitation would be intensified state-wide. After the protest, a memorandum was submitted to the SDM. Several farmer leaders and Congress representatives participated in the demonstration.