Protesting Krushak Sangathan activists trespass into Odisha Agriculture minister’s residence, SI suspended

BHUBANESWAR: Members of a leading farmers’ organization Naba Nirman Krushak Sangathan trespassed into the official residence of senior BJD leader and agriculture minister Damodar Rout here on Monday to protest against the recent farmers' suicides in the state.

Despite the deployment of police force, the agitators stormed into his official quarters. The city cops reportedly had intelligence inputs that Naba Nirman Krushak Sangathan activists might protest in front of the Minister’s residence.

Sources said more than ten members of the outfit barged into Rout's residence and shouted slogans against him. The minister was not at home when the protests took place.

Even as the city cops detained five activists, including a woman, from the spot and intercepted many others, the damage was already done.

Earlier, the Krushak Sangathan had announced that they would hold the ‘Satyagraha’ at Lower PMG to protect the interest of farmers and demand compensation for the damaged crops.

However, instead of protesting at the site where they were granted permission, the activists demonstrated inside Rout’s residence. They demanded Rs 10 lakh compensation for the kin of the farmers, who committed suicide over crop loss.

Meanwhile, sub-inspector Jambeshwar Muduli has been suspended for failing to refrain the protesters from entering the minister’s residence. Additional police force has also been deployed outside Rout's house to avoid any further untoward incident.

On November 4, Rout had warned that those farmers who are setting their crops on fire will not get any compensation. “The farmers, who have suffered more than 33 percent crop loss due to pest attack or any natural calamity, will get compensation as per the relief code but those who burnt their paddy fields will not get any assistance,” the Minister had said.