Karnataka farmers launch Jail Bharo protest in Belagavi for sugarcane prices
Protesters began a padayatra towards Hindalga Central Prison after a deadline for price announcements expired, according to The Federal and The Hindu.
Sugarcane farmers in Belagavi launched a 'Jail Bharo' agitation on Monday, marching from Gurlapur towards Hindalga Central Prison to demand higher procurement prices. According to The Federal, tensions rose near the prison as farmers attempted to lay siege to the premises, leading to heated exchanges with police personnel who moved to disperse them.
The farmers are demanding Rs 5,500 per tonne for sugarcane, an increase in the minimum selling price (MSP) of sugar to Rs 60 per kg, and a review of the Centre's ethanol procurement policy. Hasiru Sene State president Chunappa Pujeri stated that farmers want sugar factories to pay Rs 4,500 per tonne, with the State government providing an additional Rs 1,000 as a support price.
The Hindu reported that some protesters wore T-shirts reading 'Prisoner Number 5500' to highlight their price demand. The group began a padayatra from Gurlapur Cross and is expected to camp at Kabbur Naka on Monday night, aiming to reach the prison on Tuesday morning.
Co-operation Minister Laxman Savadi has appealed to farmers to allow factories to start crushing operations, noting that delays in harvesting could reduce sugar yields. He also urged Union Minister Pralhad Joshi to decide on the revision of the MSP for sugar as soon as possible.
Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi said that a permanent solution requires the Centre to increase the MSP of sugar so that factory owners can afford to pay farmers more. He suggested that farmers could use private weighing machines available every 10 km to verify sugarcane quantities before sending them to factories.