Bhubaneswar: Demanding price escalation of their products, pension and prestige, the Naba Nirman Krushak Sangathan (NNKS) are observing a 12-hour shutdown across the state, Thursday. Farmers and members of the organisation took to the streets early Thursday morning onwards and staged protests across many parts of Odisha which severely affected normal life.
In the capital city members of the NNKS staged protests on busy roads including the Patia-Nandankanan road, Master Canteen and other major points and caused road blockade by burning tyres.
Shops, business establishments and many institutions remained shut for the day in various places. Many farmers have been taken into preventive custody in Bhubaneswar, Jagatsinghpur and Bhadrak.
“We are demanding price, pension and prestige but this Odisha govt is coming up with KALIA Scheme and PEETHA Scheme which in no way is going to benefit farmers. We will give a befitting reply in the upcoming elections,” alleged an agitating farmer in Bhubaneswar.
The Congress and the BJP have also lent support to the bandh call to protect the interest of the farmers.
OPCC Chief Niranjan Patnaik extended support to the bandh and tweeted, “Our annadatas have suffered a lot due to the anti farmer policies of the BJD and the BJP. Odisha Congress supports the bandh called by the farmers.”
Apart from price, pension and prestige, the outfit has been demanding security allowance of Rs 5,000 per month for farmers.
Bhubaneswar DCP Anup Sahu said, “10 platoons of police force have been deployed to maintain law and order and prevent any untoward incident in the capital city. Students of under-matric level are appearing their exams, so we are trying to bring back normalcy.” said Sahu.