Bhubaneswar, Dec 4 (IANS) A four-hour protest called by farmers in Odisha Tuesday to oppose the government’s “apathy” towards the farming sector hit road traffic across the western part of the state for several hours, a protest leader said.
Commercial and passenger vehicles were stranded on national and state highways near all major towns in 11 districts as thousands of agitated farmers squatted on roads at several places between 12 noon and 4 p.m.
Farmers also carried out processions and rallies at several places including at the district headquarters town of Bolangir, Sambalpur, Bhabanipatna, Angul and Sundergarh.
They also demonstrated outside government offices.
“It was a symbolic protest to warn the government. If the state and central governments do not pay heed to the plight of the farmers, we will launch a bigger agitation,” farmer leader Ashok Pradhan told IANS.
Pradhan is one of the convenors of the Paschim Odisha Krushak Sangathan Samanwaya Samiti (POKSSS), which has been fighting to protect the interests of farmers. POKSSS was the organiser of the latest protest.
Pradhan said POKSSS had organised a massive rally at Sambalpur, about 300 km from state capital Bhubaneswar Oct 31, seeking several government measures.
“Although we had submitted a 15-point charter of demands to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik through the local authorities, nothing has been done yet”, he said.
“We want the government to implement a uniform paddy procurement policy in the state. We want the government to pay Rs.300 bonus per one quintal of paddy,” Pradhan said.
The farmers were also seeking assurance from the government that it would not acquire any farm land for industrial purpose.
IANS 2012-12-04 17:54:49

LARISSA CAHUTE VANCOUVER DESI Armed with a bicycle and positive message, Mission’s Ken Herar is hoping to connect communities across the Lower Mainland. For the…
Continue Reading »
VANCOUVER DESI A couple believed to be from British Columbia were found slain in their Indian home on May 9, 2013. According to the Times…
Continue Reading »
RIAZ KHAN THE ASSOCIATED PRESS PESHAWAR, Pakistan — Bombs that exploded outside two mosques in a village in northwestern Pakistan killed at least 15 people…
Continue Reading »
LARISSA CAHUTE VANCOUVER DESI Armed with a bicycle and positive message, Mission’s Ken Herar is hoping to connect communities across the Lower Mainland. For the…
Continue Reading »
VANCOUVER DESI A couple believed to be from British Columbia were found slain in their Indian home on May 9, 2013. According to the Times…
Continue Reading »
JACOB ZINN POSTMEDIA NEWS Peter Fassbender may not live in Surrey, but the Langley mayor knows a thing or two about the City of Parks….
Continue Reading »
New Delhi, May 17 (IANS) Sanchita Ajjampur believes she took a “risk” with an “unconventional” ensemble — a “gild web gown” for actress Freida Pinto at…
Continue Reading »
CHONCHUI NGASHANGVA THE ASSOCIATED PRESS NEW DELHI — Indian actor Sanjay Dutt surrendered before a Mumbai court Thursday to begin serving time for a weapons…
Continue Reading »
Film: “The Reluctant Fundamentalist”; Cast: Riz Ahmed, Shabana Azmi, Om Puri, Kate Hudson, Kiefer Sutherland, Liev Schreiber, Martin Donovan, Nelsan Ellis, Imaad Shah, Adil Hussain,…
Continue Reading »
© 2012-2013 Vancouverdesi.com part of Vancouver Province Sites, a division of Postmedia Network Inc.
All Rights Reserved | Privacy Statement | Terms and Conditions | Copyright & Permissions