Kalahandi farmers block NH-26 over delay in paddy procurement

Kalahandi: Vehicular traffic on NH-26 came to a grinding halt for more than an hour on Thursday as farmers
of Dharmagar in Kalahandi district staged a road blockade over delay in paddy procurement.
The agitators, who staged blockade by placing gunny bags filled with paddy on Nabarangpur-Bhawanipatna road, demanded immediate reopening of the mandis closed since last three days.
On being informed about the protest, district administration officials rushed to the spot and assured the farmers of prompt action to reopen the mandis. “The mandis were shut owing to a strike called by the millers. We are in talks with the millers and efforts are being made to ensure smooth procurement of paddy,” a district official said.