Bagalkot/ Belagavi, 13 Nov 

The ongoing agitation by sugarcane farmers in Mudhol, Bagalkot, took a violent turn on Thursday as at least 20 tractors loaded with sugarcane were set on fire. Farmers have been demanding a minimum support price of Rs 3,500 per tonne of sugarcane.

The incident occurred at the Sameerawade Godavari Sugar Factory premises, where angry farmers stormed the compound against the factory management. They alleged that the factory failed to clear pending dues.

Witnesses said the situation spiralled out of control as some farmers torched tractors parked in the factory premises.

District authorities have imposed Section 164 prohibitory orders in Jamkhandi, Rabkavi-Banahatti, and Mudhol taluks.

Last week, the State government fixed the procurement price of sugarcane at Rs 3,300 per tonne. While many farmers withdrew their protest, those in Bagalkot and Haveri continued.

Meanwhile, six people were arrested for pelting stones during a farmers’ protest. The incident occurred near Hattargi toll plaza on the Pune-Bengaluru National Highway on 7 November, when farmers’ protest briefly disrupted traffic. The stone-pelting injured 12 cops and damaged two police vehicles.