Cane growers protest at Central Bus Stand, Belagavi
Belagavi: The Karnataka bandh called by sugarcane farmers demanding a fair and remunerative price of Rs 5,500 per tonne received a strong response across rural parts of Belagavi district on Saturday, with road blockades, market closures and protests reported from several sugarcane-growing regions. Stay updated with the latest Hubballi news. The agitation, spearheaded by farmer organisations, intensified in Chikodi, Raibag, Athani, Hukkeri, Savadatti, Bailhongal and parts of Belagavi taluk. Farmers blocked roads at several locations and staged demonstrations demanding that the state govt announce a fixed cane price and ensure payment of pending dues by sugar factories. In Chikodi taluk, thousands of farmers blocked the Chikodi-Miraj road near Manjari village from morning till evening. Growers from Manjari, Yadoor, Chandur, Ingali and neighbouring villages joined the protest. Demonstrators cooked and ate lunch on the road as part of their sit-in. Similar scenes were witnessed in Raibag taluk, where protesters cooked food on the roadside at Diggewadi and blocked the Ankali-Chinchali road. Tyres were also burnt during the demonstration. Farmers attempted to block traffic near the Hattargi and Hire Bagewadi toll plazas on the national highway. However, the district administration had imposed restrictions on highway blockades and warned of strict legal action against violators. At the Belagavi Central Bus Stand, protesters briefly attempted to halt bus services, but heavy police deployment prevented major disruption. Long-distance buses and highway traffic largely continued as normal. The protest was led by Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha and Hasiru Sene leaders Chunappa Pujeri, Shashikant Padasalagi and Prem Chougala. Farmer groups warned that the agitation would be intensified if their demands remained unmet. Download the TOI App.