Bhubaneswar, 15 December (H.S.): Farmers’ resentment over their inability to sell paddy despite the opening of mandis has intensified into a full-scale agitation, with a district-wide shutdown called for December 19 in Odisha’s Sambalpur district.

The bandh call has been given by the Paschim Odisha Krushak Sangathan Samanwaya Samiti after the paddy procurement process hit a deadlock due to the non-issuance of procurement tokens. Farmers allege that the prolonged delay has left them unable to sell their produce, pushing the situation to a breaking point.

Terming the situation as a case of administrative apathy, the farmers’ body has also announced a series of innovative protest programmes beginning December 16. The organisation has warned that the agitation will be further intensified if the issue of procurement tokens is not resolved immediately.

The development has raised concerns over possible disruptions in normal life in the district, eve

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda