Haveri
The Byadagi chilli market was limping back to normality after Monday’s violent protests by farmers over a 10 percent slump in prices of Byadagi and Guntur chilli prices at the wholesale agricultural market.
To placate farmer sentiments and assure them of a fair price, APMC authorities have arranged for a re-tendering, allowing chilli traders to participate in the process.
Monday’s protests, in which policemen were attacked by an irate mob of farmers, resulted in a loss of Rs 4 crore, APMC officials said.
We are verifying videos and CCTV footage to arrest some more miscreants in connection with the violence, said Superintendent of Police Anshu Kumar Srivastava.
We have so far arrested 81 people. Most of them are Telugu-speaking. We have deployed 800 police personnel, seven KSRP and seven DAR platoons, the Superintendent of Police said, adding that 200 additional personnel have also been deployed to ensure a fool-proof security.
Meanwhile, MLA Basavaraj Shivannavar visited the market. Denying there was any fall in chilli prices at Byadagai market, Monday’s violence was pre-planned to give the market a bad name. I have never seen such incidents in the past 75 years. Police should conduct a thorough investigation, he said.
Deputy Commissioner Raghunandhan Murthy held a meeting with traders, commission agents and members of the APMC. He advised that even if there is a drop in prices, traders should take farmers into confidence. He advised that market should operate twice a week on Mondays and Thursdays as this would help better manage produces arriving at the market.
Some commission agents raised their concern over inadequate manpower and lack of market space. They said a major challenge currently faced by the traders is regarding storage, with most cold storages currently overflowing.
