The ongoing protest by vegetable traders and farmers has caused severe inconvenience to the public by blocking the road. Appealing to the protesters, DC Belagavi Mohammad Roshan urged them to vacate the road and shift to the Collector’s office premises, assuring that he would work out a suitable solution within six hours.
On Thursday morning, farmers and traders supporting the APMC Vegetable Market held a massive march to the Collector’s office, following Tuesday’s rally by those backing the Jai Kisan Private Wholesale Market. Addressing the gathering in heavy rain, the District Collector said, “Like you, I have been on the road for the last eight days. This situation should not have arisen. Since morning, it was hot, but the rains have cooled the weather. For the past week, the administration has been working continuously for the farmers to ensure that you do not face hardship.”
He further said that both groups were locked in arguments and counter-arguments before the administration, but law and order was being maintained by him and the Police Commissioner. “I will now go to my office and take a lawful decision on the points raised. However, I request that you not sit on the road for lunch. The premises of the Collector’s office have ample space. Blocking public roads is not right—common citizens have been suffering for two days, and even patients in the nearby hospital are facing difficulties.”