Haryana police use force to disperse farmers protesting paddy procurement delays

…begin paddy procurement despite increasing arrivals in mandis. He said the farmers had given the government time until September 22 after the Deputy Commissioner intervened during a panchayat meeting on September 16. “ The arrival of paddy is increasing rapidly. More than two lakh quintals have already arrived in this region. Eight to 10 lakh quintals may have already arrived in the mandis, but procurement has not started ,” he said. He alleged that the delay was deliberate and linked to corruption, claiming that physical verification of paddy acreage had not been completed. Referring to last year’s experience, Mr. Charuni alleged that…

…blocked for around 10 to 15 minutes, he said. Kurukshetra Superintendent of Police Chander Mohan said the administration had offered to hold talks with the farmers, but they still attempted to block the highway. “ We are very clear that the National Highway cannot be blocked ,” he said, adding that some policemen were also injured in the clash. Mr. Charuni said the farmers had been protesting against the government’s failure to begin paddy procurement despite increasing arrivals in mandis.…