Bid to hurl Kadaknath birds in Maha CM's 'yatra' convoy foiled

Workers of Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana (SSS) on Monday tried to fling 'kadaknath' chickens and eggs in the way of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' convoy of 'Mahajanadesh yatra' in Sangli district but BJP activists foiled their bid.

The incident occurred in Kundal area in Palus taluka in the western Maharashtra district, over 230 kms from here.

According to eye-witnesses, some activists of the Raju Shetti-led party tried to hurl the chickens but were prevented from doing so by BJP workers at the spot, and the CM's entourage passed through without any incident.

A senior official said three people were detained for the protest and probe was underway.

The SSS has been demanding an inquiry by Enforcement Directorate (ED) against a poultry firm which is accused of duping farmers to the tune of Rs 550 crore by promising to help them rear 'kadaknath' chickens.

The ED, however, contends that the amount involved in the scam may be around Rs 95 crore.

Kadaknath chicken is fabled in parts of central India, primarily Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, for its nutritional and purported medicinal values, with a kilogram selling at rates as high as Rs 900.

"The ED should find out where the money was laundered. More than 10,000 farmers were affected," farmer leader Raju Shetti, a former MP, claimed.