Karnataka Sugarcane Crisis: Tractors Set Ablaze During Farmers' Protest Over Fair Pricing

Firefighting personnel quickly responded to control the blaze after several tractors transporting sugarcane were set ablaze.

Bagalkote:

Unrest erupted in Bagalkote district on Thursday when multiple tractors and trolleys carrying sugarcane to a factory in Rabkavi Banhatti taluk were set ablaze, reportedly by unknown individuals.

Police officials reported that the incident occurred during ongoing demonstrations by sugarcane farmers who are demanding Rs 3,500 per tonne for their harvest. Fire services were dispatched immediately to contain the flames.

Leaders of the farming community have distanced themselves from the violence, suggesting that the arson may have been perpetrated by outside elements attempting to discredit their peaceful protest movement.

Sources indicated that stone-throwing also occurred during the incident, resulting in injuries to several individuals, including law enforcement officers.

In response to the violence, the Bagalkote Deputy Commissioner invoked Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023, implementing prohibitory orders that ban protests, strikes, and gatherings in Jamkhandi, Mudhol, and Rabkavi-Banhatti taluks from 8 pm on November 13 until 8 am on November 16.

The official order emphasized the necessity to preserve public order and safeguard citizens and infrastructure.

Sugar Minister Shivanand Patil announced that authorities would conduct a thorough investigation to determine responsibility and ensure appropriate legal action.

Officials stated that sugarcane farmers have been demonstrating throughout Bagalkote, Mudhol, and surrounding areas since November 7 regarding sugarcane pricing and additional demands, including roadblock protests.

On November 13, protesters surrounded the Godavari (Sameerwadi) sugar factory within the Mahalingapura police jurisdiction when some individuals ignited the tractors and trolleys loaded with sugarcane.

While agricultural workers in Belagavi and certain other regions accepted the government-established procurement rate of Rs 3,300 per tonne with 11.25 percent recovery and ceased their protests, farmers in Bagalkote, Haveri, and additional areas maintained their demonstrations, describing the decision as "ambiguous" and cautioning that establishing prices based on recovery rates carries significant risks.

Commenting on the incident, BJP leader and Opposition Leader in the Assembly R Ashoka expressed that the "devastating scenes of hundreds of tonnes of sugarcane cultivated by farmers being consumed by fire, alongside tractors valued at lakhs of rupees, have left us deeply shocked." Attributing responsibility to the Congress administration, he stated via 'X', "The government must abandon this negligent approach and address the concerns of sugarcane producers with seriousness." He further noted, "Farmers should receive compensation for losses resulting from today's events. The Chief Minister should personally engage with the farmers to find a resolution."

State BJP President B Y Vijayendra also criticized the state government and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on 'X', asserting, "The requests of sugarcane farmers are entirely reasonable, yet the government appears influenced by sugar factory owners." He continued, "Farmers are left with unfulfilled promises. The government's failure to act and its lack of empathy have precipitated this calamity, resulting in destruction of farmers' property and crops."