Farmers Gherao Mysugar Godown in Mandya, Demand Rs 5,500 per Tonne for Sugarcane

Mandya, Oct 30 : Sugarcane farmers on Friday gheraoed the Mysugar sugar godown in Mandya, protesting against the sale of stored sugar and demanding that the government fix the sugarcane price at Rs 5,500 per tonne.

The protest was led by farmer leader Chukki Nanjundaswamy and organised by members of the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha. The protesters raised slogans against the Centre and state governments, accusing them of failing to ensure remunerative prices for sugarcane growers.

Tension prevailed at the Mysugar premises after the administrative board initially denied entry to the protesters and kept the mill's main gate closed. Agitated farmers attempted to enter the premises, with some trying to climb over the gate. However, police intervened and prevented them from entering. Security was subsequently strengthened at the mill.

Following the escalation, the authorities opened the main gate, allowing the farmers to enter and assemble near the sugar godown.

The protesters gheraoed the godown and warned that sugar sales should not continue until the government took a decision on their demand for a minimum price of Rs 5,500 per tonne of sugarcane.

Raitha Sangha district unit president A L Kempugowda described Friday's agitation as a symbolic protest and warned that the farmers' movement would be intensified if the Centre and state governments continued to ignore their demands.

Farmer leaders Shivalli Chandrashekar, Marichangowda and several others participated in the protest.