Farmers Block Pune-Bengaluru Highway Demanding ₹4,500 for Sugarcane
Farmers led by Raju Shetti protest at Kini toll plaza for higher sugarcane prices, halting traffic.
Farmers demand ₹4,500 per tonne for sugarcane at Kini toll plaza.
Over 300 police personnel deployed to manage the protest.
Agitation will continue until demands are met.
On Tuesday, farmers from the Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana staged a significant protest at the Kini toll plaza on the Pune-Bengaluru National Highway, demanding a first instalment of ₹4,500 per tonne for sugarcane. The demonstration, led by the organization's founder, Raju Shetti, resulted in a complete halt of traffic as farmers occupied the highway.
This protest follows days of agitation outside local sugar mills in Kolhapur district, where the farmers sought a resolution regarding the sugarcane price issue. Despite two rounds of discussions with the administration and sugar mill owners, no satisfactory agreement was reached, prompting the farmers to escalate their actions to a road blockade.
To ensure a robust turnout, the Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana organized rallies in nearby villages, encouraging participation from local farmers and residents. Raju Shetti began the day with prayers at the Shri Maruti temple before leading the farmers to the protest site, where they effectively stopped traffic on the highway.
In response to the protest, law enforcement has established a heavy police presence around the Kini toll plaza, with over 300 officers deployed to maintain order. Traffic has been rerouted to alleviate congestion, with vehicles traveling towards Kolhapur diverted through alternative routes, resulting in significant delays for motorists.
The Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana has made it clear that they will continue their protest until their demand for ₹4,500 per tonne for sugarcane is met. This ongoing agitation is expected to exert increased pressure on both sugar mill owners and local authorities, with many observers keenly awaiting their next moves.
