Sugarcane growers, KRRS condemn arrest of protesters in Belagavi, oppose ₹3,600 price

Kurubur Shanthakumar

The Karnataka State Sugarcane Growers’ Association on Thursday condemned the arrest of farmers protesting in Belagavi over sugarcane prices and demanded their immediate release, warning that it would launch a State-wide agitation if the government failed to act.

In a statement here, the association's State president, Kurubur Shanthakumar, said the price of ₹3,600 per tonne announced for sugarcane in Belagavi district was unacceptable to farmers and amounted to a betrayal of their interests. He alleged that the State government had fixed the price at the behest of sugar factory owners to weaken and divert the farmers’ agitation.

Farmers, who had been demanding ₹4,500 per tonne, could not be expected to accept merely the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP), he said, describing the government’s announcement as an attempt to divide the movement.

Of the 29 sugar factories in Belagavi district, 16 have a sugar recovery rate of more than 12%. According to the association, these factories should pay an FRP of ₹4,350 per tonne. While harvesting and transportation charges could be deducted, the statutory price should be paid to farmers, he said.

Mr. Shanthakumar also accused Minister Satish Jarkiholi of staging a political drama in the name of fixing the price.

Demanding a State Advised Price (SAP) for sugarcane, an increase in the Centre’s FRP, a loan waiver for farmers, and fair compensation to drought-hit farmers, the association has called for a massive protest at Freedom Park in Bengaluru on Friday under the banner of the Sugarcane Growers’ Coordination Committee.

The Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS) has also condemned the arrest of sugarcane farmers protesting in Belagavi and has announced a State-wide agitation at Freedom Park in Bengaluru on Friday, demanding an amicable settlement of the growers’ demands.

KRRS State president Badagalapura Nagendra, in a statement here, said the government’s decision to arrest farmers was condemnable, particularly when efforts were being made to resolve the dispute through discussions between sugar factory owners and farmers.

He said the sugarcane growers’ agitation had been peaceful for the past one-and-a-half months. At the final stage of discussions between the government, sugar factories and farmers, the district in-charge Minister had reportedly sought the farmers’ cooperation to allow the factories to function temporarily while efforts were made to resolve their demands. However, instead of finding an amicable solution, the government had resorted to arresting the protesting farmers, he alleged.

The KRRS said the Sugarcane Growers’ Coordination Committee would launch an agitation at Freedom Park in Bengaluru from 11 a.m. on Friday, demanding the fulfilment of sugarcane growers’ demands.

Leaders of various farmers’ organisations and sugarcane growers are expected to participate in the protest. The committee has appealed to farmers from all districts to participate in large numbers.