Vijayapura: Thousands of farmers from Muddebihal, Talikote and Basavana Bagewadi Taluks gheraoed the Sri Balaji Sugar Factory near Yaragalla-Madari, demanding an increase in FRP per tonne of sugarcane.
A handful of policemen tried their best to stop the irate sugarcane farmers, but to no avail. The farmers broke into the factory after breaking through the police fort and went straight to the sugarcane crushing unit and demanded to shut down the sane.
At one point, when the sugarcane and stones were thrown towards the machine room, the glass of the room was shattered. Some farmers jumped into the cane carrying sugarcane and tried to take the risk.
Sensing the anger of the farmers, the staff immediately switched off the sugarcane crushing machine and averted a possible mishap. Some of the farmers picked up stones lying in the factory premises and threw them at the sugarcane-laden vehicle and the factory buildings.
Muddebihal, Talikote and DR Police, led by DSP Arun Kumar Kollur and CPI Anand Waghmode, worked hard to provide security.
The Government is paying Rs. 3,200 per tonne of sugarcane, the price has been fixed. Balaji Factory has deducted the cost of harvesting and transportation and were given Rs. 2,502. Rs. 3,800 is the demand of the farmers. But the FRP rate is fixed by the Government and not by the factory. The factory is expressing frustration that we are helpless in this matter, which has led to the anger of the farmers.
