More than 10,000 farmers from across the state on Monday gheraoed the Sakhar Sankul (sugar commissionerate) at Shivajinagar and did not allow more than 400 employees, including IAS officers, to come out till the time of going to the press.
Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana, headed by MP Raju Shetty, marched to Sakhar Sankul to press for the various demands of sugarcane growers. The farmers demanded Rs2,350 per tonne for sugarcane in the coming season.
Shetkari Sanghatana put forth other demands, including lifting the ban on sugar exports, and relating the rate to production costs.
They also demanded filing of cases against factories that defaulted on payments to farmers. As there was no headway, the farmers decided to gherao Sakhar Sankul till the government accepted their demands.
