BELAGAVI
Bharat Bandh declared by the farmers evoked mixed response in Belagavi and parts of north Karnataka region, as the number of farmers joining the Bandh was fewer than expected.
However, farmers refrained from sending their produce to the wholesale market at APMC in view of the strike and vegetable supplies to Goa were affected on Tuesday.
The Bharat Bandh by and large was peaceful as no untoward incident was reported in the city. Vegetable and onion traders also preferred to shut their shops due to limited supplies.
On Tuesday morning, farmers assembled at the Central Bus Terminus (CBT) and blocked the entrance in the guise of preparing tea.
“We would like to have Chai Pe Charcha (dialogue over tea),” a woman protester told the police who later removed the utensils that were being used for preparing tea.
Bus services came to a grinding halt as the result of the protesting farmers blocking the entrance and exit of the CBT.
Later, the farmers moved to Kittur Rani Chenamma Circle and had blocked the circle for over two hours, disrupting the traffic.
As a result, traffic was diverted via Club Road and Camp. Farmers had also blocked the NH4 and routes entering Belagavi via Sambra and Kanbargi at Gandhinagar.
Farmers have opposed the three new laws ” Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020 and Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020 ” on grounds that it would pave the way for dismantling the minimum support price system, leaving them at the mercy of corporate lobby which is now controlling big private sections in the nation.
Former Union Minister Babagowda Patil, farmer leader Siddagouda Modagi and others were leading the protests.
