Kolhapur, Maharashtra: Protests led by the Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana in the Kolhapur and Sangli districts, demanding an increase in sugarcane prices, escalated on Monday, reported The Times of India.
Kolhapur district’s Superintendent of Police, Mahendra Pandit, informed reporters that there were isolated incidents of tractors and carts transporting sugar cane being set ablaze. In one instance, farmers were reportedly manhandled, prompting police intervention. Pandit emphasized the police’s responsibility to maintain law and order, emphasizing that those violating the law would face legal consequences.
Pandit clarified that no mill had sought police protection for sugar cane transportation or harvesting. However, he noted that the police were directed to intervene in any situation involving a breach of law and order.
Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana leader Raju Shetti, currently engaged in a sit-in protest at Jaysingpur, criticized the home department for providing security to mills and sugarcane transportation. Shetti highlighted the apparent disparity, with sugar mills receiving police protection while farmers faced legal action. He asserted that the ongoing agitation was non-violent but vowed to intensify protests to secure additional Rs 400 per tonne for sugarcane crushed in the last season.
