Sugarcane Farmers’ Protest Escalates: Over 100 Tractor Trailers Set Ablaze in Bagalkot

Bagalkot: The ongoing protest by sugarcane farmers in Karnataka has intensified dramatically, with over 100 tractor trailers reportedly set on fire near the Godavari factory in Saidapur village, Mudhol taluk, Bagalkot district.

The farmers are demanding a fixed price of Rs 3,500 per tonne for their sugarcane, rejecting the state government’s announced price of Rs 3,300 per tonne. The week-long agitation by Mudhol farmers culminated in a town bandh today, with protestors insisting that sugar factory owners engage in direct talks and concede to the Rs 3,500 per tonne demand.

The escalation occurred when the protestors, who had staged a tractor rally and attempted to besiege the Godavari factory at Sameerwadi, allegedly set ablaze a long line of tractor trolleys transporting cane to the unit.

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State Sugar Minister Shivanand Patil condemned the incident,  said  that the act was not carried out by genuine farmers but by “some mischief-makers.” He highlighted that the district minister has been in Mudhol for three days negotiating with farmers and factory owners. “No farmer across the state has resorted to such an act.

This is the work of miscreants in the name of farmers,” Patil asserted. He added that the government has offered the highest price in history and urged the Mudhol farmers to accept the decision, as the rest of the state’s growers have.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was briefed on the volatile situation via telephone by the Bagalkot Deputy Commissioner (DC) and Superintendent of Police (SP), and he also spoke with District In-Charge Minister R. B. Timmapur. The CM has instructed officials to provide a complete report on the incident. Police have been tasked with conducting a thorough investigation and taking strict action against those responsible for the destruction.

The Bagalkot protest stands out, as many sugarcane growers in other districts, including Belagavi, reportedly withdrew their agitation after the government announced the price of Rs 3,300 per tonne, which includes a state contribution, for cane yielding 11.3% recovery.

However, Mudhol farmers insist on a non-recovery-based, flat rate of Rs 3,500 per tonne, citing lack of communication from factory owners as a key trigger for the intense backlash.

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