Farmers blocked NH-44, demands for Minimum support price

Hundreds of farmers blocked NH-44 at Perkit and Jakranpally in Nizamabad district on Saturday. The farmers were demanding remunerative price for turmeric and red jowar. The farmers also held Vanta Varpu (community meals) on the NH to register their protest. Traffic on the Hyderabad-Nagpur route was affected. Setting aside political differences, farmers agitated in a peaceful manner. Police officials tried to convince them to withdraw their agitation on the NH so traffic could flow smoothly, but they refused.

Police then diverted traffic to alternative routes to avoid inconvenience to long distance travellers as the highway connects Kanyakumari to Varanasi. Police commissioner Kartikeya visited the agitation site and interacted with farmer leaders. Additional police forces were also deployed in Armoor, Perkit and Jakranpally.

However, joint collector M. Venkateshwarlu who was monitoring the situation directed revenue, agriculture officials to be vigilant. He said that the issue would be reported to the higher-ups for necessary action.