Bargarh farmers block road demanding compensation for pest attack

Bargarh: Hundreds of farmers staged a blockade on National Highway-54 at Mahulipali Chhak under Bheden block in Bargarh district on Monday seeking fulfillment of their five-point charter of demands.

“It has become clear that the state government is not at all serious about our issues as no step was taken to control pest attack and provide compensation to the farmers affected by it. The government should initiate proactive steps to provide loan waiver to farmers and properly assess the crop loss due to pest attack,” one of the agitators said.

Following the blockade, vehicular traffic was affected on Sambalpur-Sonepur road. A platoon of police force has been deployed at the spot to prevent any untoward incident.