OPCC chief extends support to farmers’ agitation

Cuttack: Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) chief Niranjan Patnaik on Friday extended support to the agitation launched by farmers under the aegis of Naba Nirman Krushak Sangathan (NNKS) demanding price, prestige and pension.

Patnaik also joined the farmers' padyatra, which reached Cuttack yesterday, and said: "The farmers are not affiliated to any political party and have been agitating over their righteous demands for a long time. However, both the State government and the Centre are apathetic towards their issues,” said Patnaik.

Naba Nirman Krushak Sangathan national coordinator Akhaya Kumar said, “It seems an undeclared emergency has been implemented in the State as there are restrictions on freedom of speech.”

Meanwhile, thousands of farmers spent sleepless night (yesterday) under the open sky at a ground near Kathajodi river in Cuttack. They will organise a rally in Bhubaneswar on November 5.

The NKSS had earlier announced to hold two padyatras from October 29 to November 5 demanding fair price, pension and prestige for 36 lakh farmers of the State.