Sugarcane farmers block national highways

Sugarcane farmers, under the aegis of the Bharatiya Kisan Union, blocked traffic movement on major highways, including the Lucknow-Delhi and Dehradun-Delhi highways, demanding payment of and increase in sugarcane prices.

BKU spokesperson Rakesh Tikait said the Uttar Pradesh government has fooled the farmers through its "delaying tactics" by not forcing sugar mills in the state to pay them an arrear amount of Rs.673 crore.

He named Titavi, Simbhaoli, Mahana and Daurala sugar mills as the major defaulters, and said only Rs.112 crore has been paid till now after a hue and cry by the farmers.

"There has been no increase in sugarcane prices in the last four years. A price of Rs.280 per quintal was announced in 2012 and it remains the same," said V.M. Singh, another farmer leader and a former Uttar Pradesh legislator from Pilibhit.

Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Daljeet Chaudhry said the situation was under control and police maintained a "lenient attitude" towards the agitating farmers though they blocked the highways and local roads in Bijnore and Meerut.