Post News Network
Jeypore, Nov 20: With support from the local chamber of commerce, a dawn-to-dusk bandh called by farmers of Kundura and Jeypore blocks under this sub-division in Koraput district was total and peaceful in the town.
Farmers of the two blocks and Zilla Krushak Kalyan Manch, a district level farmers’ outfit, gave the call demanding clearance of payments for the crops they sold to the administration about five months ago.
The agitators staged a sit-in at the entry points of the town, New Bus Stand, Gandhi Chhak, Bhootnath Temple Square, Bamunigaon and Traffic Square. All Jeypore-bound buses, trucks, four-wheelers and auto rickshaws were stranded on the outskirts of the town. The two-wheelers and ambulances were allowed to ply on the roads.
While private schools and colleges remained closed, the demonstrators resorted to picketing across the town and managed to close government offices, post offices, banks and government educational institutions. The farmers assembled at Ratha Padia Chhak and took out a rally on the main road of the town.
Holding the collector responsible for their problems, the farmers demanded his transfer, shouted slogans and sought instant clearance of their payments. Passengers from far-flung areas, who were stuck due to the bandh, had a harrowing time as all hotels and commercial establishments downed their shutters.
While CPI workers took part in the agitation supporting the bandh, Congress workers led by MLA Taraprasad Bahinipati staged a sit-in at Congress Bhawan. Similarly, former minister Rabinarayan Nanda also went to Ratha Padia Chhak to support the farmers and demanded immediate clearance of farmers’ dues.
More than 200 farmers led by Zilla Krushak Kalyan Manch president Madan Samantray, secretary Narendra Pradhan and vice-president Umesh Panigrahi participated in the rally.
