Potato crisis: Protest erupts in Odisha; food items laden vehicles en-route West Bengal halted

Protesting the move of the West Bengal government, which has stopped potato supply to Odisha, members of several social organisations stopped vehicles, laden with food items en route to the neighbouring state, in Cuttack on Friday.

As per reports, the protestors stopped all the vehicles carrying food items to West Bengal along National Highway No.16 near Manguli chhak in a peaceful manner. As a result, hundreds of vehicles laden with food items were halted.

Notably, prices of potatoes have skyrocketed in Odisha market due to short supply of the essential kitchen item from West Bengal. Potatoes have almost vanished from several markets in the State resulting in exorbitant prices. It has been alleged that West Bengal government is not allowing potato-laden vehicles to enter Odisha.

West Bengal Police is reportedly chasing and seizing potato-laden trucks heading towards Odisha. A potato-laden truck reportedly lost its balance at the Odisha border near Lailanpur as West Bengal police chased the vehicle. Subsequently, all the potatoes were taken back to West Bengal.

“West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is not allowing procurement of potatoes from the State without any reason, resulting in potato crisis in Odisha. Despite requests from our Chief Minister, Mamata has not facilitated the movement of potato-laden vehicles from West Bengal to Odisha with some ill intention,” said a protestor.

“The protest will continue till Mamata allows the movement of potato-laden vehicles from West Bengal to Odisha. We will not tolerate the injustice. Movement of trucks laden with food items from Odisha to West Bengal will be stopped until the potato crisis is fully resolved,” said another protestor.