Sugarcane growers intensify agitation across Kittur Karnataka; bandh evokes mixed response; Road blockades disrupt transport in Belagavi, Vijayapura, Bagalkot, Dharwad and Haveri

Sugarcane farmers staging a road blockade in Hubballi on Saturday.

The Karnataka bandh called by sugarcane growers demanding a remunerative price for their produce evoked a mixed response across the Kittur Karnataka region on Saturday, with road blockades disrupting transport and normal life in several parts of Belagavi, Vijayapura, Bagalkot, Dharwad and Haveri districts.

The growers are demanding ₹5,500 a tonne for sugarcane, including an incentive of ₹1,000 a tonne from the State government. They have also urged the Union government to increase the minimum selling price (MSP) of sugar from ₹31 to ₹60 a kg.

In Belagavi, the bandh evoked a moderate response in the city but had a wider impact in rural areas. Farmers belonging to the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha and Hasiru Sene staged a protest at the Central Bus Stand from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m., disrupting bus services. Commercial activity returned to normal around 9 a.m.

Road blockades continued in Gokak, Kagwad, Yaragatti, Hukkeri, Nipani, Mudalagi, Athani and other towns. Farmers blocked roads connecting Karnataka and Maharashtra near Nipani and Kagwad. At Gokak, protesters blocked the Gokak-Hidkal Dam road and prepared food on the highway. At Ugaragol in Savadatti taluk, a blockade on the road to the Renuka Yellamma temple forced devotees to return without darshan.

In Dharwad, growers blocked the main road near Jubilee Circle for more than two hours, bringing traffic to a standstill. Chigari and State transport bus services were temporarily suspended. Police Commissioner Bhushan Borase visited the spot and persuaded the protesters to clear the road. The blockade was withdrawn around 1 p.m. Hubballi too witnessed traffic disruptions because of protest by farmers. Several shops and commercial establishments r

Haveri witnessed a mixed response amid tense scenes. Farmers began a round-the-clock sit-in outside Sugar Minister Rudrappa Lamani’s residence, erecting a shamiana on the road. The Minister was in Bengaluru, while police barricaded the approach roads.

Protesters urged traders to close their establishments, leading to heated exchanges near Siddappa Circle and the district bus stand. Transport was also affected after farmers blocked the Ilkal-Shikaripura highway near Chowdayyadanapur. Buses were stranded at Guttal and services at the Haveri bus stand were disrupted.

Vijayapura district witnessed a strong response. Babaleshwar observed a complete bandh, while farmers blocked the Vijayapura-Pandharpur highway at Siddapur. At Sangapur S.H. village, protesters surrounded Industries Minister M.B. Patil and demanded his intervention. An argument followed, prompting the police to use lathis to disperse the crowd. Farmers alleged that police personnel had abused and assaulted them.

In Vijayapura city, farmers blocked the Hitnalli toll plaza for nearly two hours. Muddebihal also observed a complete bandh. The agitation received support in several other taluks.

Bagalkot district witnessed a good response, while Gadag saw only symbolic protests.

Sugarcane growers in Belagavi district who had earlier decided to continue their agitation on Sunday, later withdrew the decision saying they were suspending the agitation on account of Kannada Rajyotsava celebrations on Sunday. They, however, said that the protest would continue at Gurlapur.

Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha general secretary Praveen Chougala said the the proposed jail bharo agitation had been postponed. Sangha honorary president Shashikant Padasalagi Guruji accused Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar of adopting double standards. Sangha president Chunnappa Poojari said after Rajyotsava, the agitation would continue until the State government announced the demanded incentive of ₹1,000 a tonne.