Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, Nov 6: Congress activists Friday held demonstrations in 314 blocks and gheraoed NAC and collectorates in many districts expressing concern over the drought and rising farmer suicides.
Party workers led by district president Manoranjan Das and Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) general secretary Subhendu Mohanty gheraoed the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Bhubaneswar block office at 10.30 am.
Senior party leaders Sibanand Ray, Kishore Jena, Prakash Jena and others who took part in the demonstrations demanded waiver of loans to indebted farmers.
Earlier, the activists took a rally from Master Canteen square to BMC office here shouting anti-government slogans and waving placards.
The protesters heckled some policemen while trying to gatecrash into BMC office at Kalpana Square.
In Bolangir, the workers held a block-level demo and a farmers’ rally as part of the party’s Chasi Banchao Andolan. The rally was organised at Koshala ground where the leadership alleged the state government has not taken appropriate steps to resolve farmers problems.
Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra said his hometown Bolangir that they were seeking adequate aid to farmers, establishment of a farm university and a permanent high court bench in the district.
Similar protests were organised in Cuttack and Nayagarh districts.
Reports from Koraput said block development officer (BDO) of Lamtaput was attacked by the activists when they were gheraoing the block office. The demo was led by district Congress leader Minakshi Bahinipati. The workers allegedly ransacked the BDO office over the farmers’ suicide issue.
Police resorted to cane charge a few party activists who indulged in a scuffle in Dasarathpur block of Jajpur district.
In the wake of drought-like situation, the party has demanded compensation of Rs 10lakh to each victim’s family and more aid to famers who had suffered crop loss.
“We also demand enlistment of genuine beneficiaries in the food security scheme,” said PCC president Prasad Harichandan.
Meanwhile, industry minster Debi Prasad Mishra said, “The Opposition, instead of playing politics over the issue, should coordinate with the government for proper implementation of schemes for the farmers’ benefit.”