Karnataka farmers protest central, state policies

Bengaluru: 27 September, 2020 (Bhatkallys News Bureau)Thousands of farmers converged on main highways and roads in Bengaluru and other key cities and towns on Friday, protesting against farm-related bills of the central and state governments. The demonstrations are part of a nation-wide stir call against what many organisations says are anti-farmer policies. The support for the call has varied because of a lack of agreement between various organisations. On Friday, large contingents of police personnel were deployed at many places to prevent complete blockade of key routes. Hundreds of farmers courted arrest and were taken away in buses. Protesters partly blocked entry-exit points on Tumakuru Road, Hosur Road, Old Madras Road and Mysuru Road. Demonstrations were also reported in Mysuru and Davangere. Several farmers’ organisations have called for a state-wide shutdown on September 28 to demand withdrawal of amendments made to the Karnataka Land Reforms Act and Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee Act and central farm bills. “The government did not offer a convincing reply to our concerns. Even our demand of deferring the amendments to next session was rejected, so we have decided to intensify our protest,” said agriculture expert Prakash Kammaradi.