Cotton ryots protest against rate cut, go on rampage

By Our Staff Reporter

KARIMNAGAR, NOV. 10. Farmers have gone on the rampage in Jammikunta agricultural marketyard and set fire to the office furniture and records demanding minimum support price to cotton.

Reports reaching here said that over 1,000 farmers from different parts of Karimnagar and Warangal districts went to the marketyard to sell their produce as after nearly one month the market was opened on Friday for procurement of cotton. The farmers had brought about 15,000 quintals of cotton to the market. Initially, it was decided that seven traders would procure cotton along with the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI). The CCI decided to purchase 1,000 bags and auction was held and the rate was fixed at Rs.1,841 per quintal.

When most of the traders did not enter the market for procurement, the rate was reduced by Rs.15 per quintal. On the other hand, the CCI had procured 750 quintals of cotton and the authorities had even given permission to procure 2,000 quintals. But, the farmers who have been waiting since morning protested against the absence of traders in the market, which caused reduction in the price against the MSP.

At about 7 pm the farmers went on the rampage by ransacking the office furniture. Some farmers closed the gates while others disconnected power supply. They went into the chambers of the Market Committee chairman and the secretary and destroyed furniture, refrigerator, cooler, TV, moisture testing machines, weighing machines and computer room. The police said that property worth Rs. 3 lakhs was damaged.

Despite Saturday being a holiday for the agricultural market yard, officials rushed to Jammikunta town and negotiated with farmers and traders for the procurement of cotton at Rs.1850 per quintal.

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Section  : Southern States
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