NH-326 through Odisha’s Malkangiri comes to a grinding halt as farmers block stretch to protest fertiliser shortage

Farmers in Malkangiri blocked NH-326 near Mathili, protesting fertiliser shortages and alleged black marketing by LAMPS officials, with demands for immediate supply.

NH-326 through Odisha’s Malkangiri comes to a grinding halt as farmers block stretch to protest fert

Farmers block NH-326 in Odisha's Malkangiri

time

Hundreds of farmers staged a road blockade near Mathili in Malkangiri district on Saturday, protesting acute fertiliser shortages at a crucial stage of the cropping season. The agitators blocked National Highway-326 near the Mathili Large Area Multipurpose Cooperative Society (LAMPS) point, bringing vehicular movement to a standstill for hours.

Sources reported visuals of protestors carrying placards and raising slogans. The farmers said they were left with no choice but to hit the streets as their crops were on the verge of drying up. 

“The season is almost over, but we are not getting fertilisers. If supply is not ensured immediately, we will continue our agitation,” warned a farmer participating in the demonstration.

Allegations of Black Marketing

The protest comes days after widespread allegations of fertiliser corruption surfaced in the area. Farmers had accused the Mathili LAMPS office of diverting fertiliser stocks to the black market. 

According to their claims, while each cultivator was officially allotted multiple bags of urea, many received only one bag, with the rest allegedly siphoned off.

Balram Kirsani, a local farmer, alleged, “I have been coming here since summer, but I haven’t got the required fertiliser. They gave us one bag and diverted the rest. On top of that, they charged Rs 280 per bag instead of the fixed Rs 266.”

Officials Deny Irregularities

The allegations have been strongly denied by the Mathili LAMPS management. In-charge Satya Narayan Swain said, “There has been no malpractice in distribution. Fertilisers are being supplied according to availability and official guidelines.”

Notably, this is not the first time Mathili farmers have raised the issue. Earlier confrontations at the LAMPS office had highlighted alleged irregularities, but today’s blockade marked an escalation, as farmers shifted their anger to the national highway.

Meanwhile, the farmers have made it clear that their agitation will not stop at Mathili. Many warned that if fertiliser supplies are not streamlined and corruption is not checked, protests could spread to other parts of Malkangiri and beyond.

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