Angry over stalled paddy procurement, Udham Singh Nagar farmers lock RFC office in Haldwani after forcing officials out

Farmers from Udham Singh Nagar district, accompanied by Congress leaders, reached the RFC (Regional Food Controller) office in Haldwani on Friday and gheraoed RFC Kumaon C.S. Martolia. They forced the officers and staff out of the office and locked it. Kathgodam kotwal also reached the spot on hearing of the commotion. The farmers, led by former MLAs Rajkumar Thukral and Narayan Pal, said the paddy season is on but adequate arrangements for government procurement have not been made, and farmers are running from pillar to post to sell their crop. Thukral said the heavy rain on October 7 ruined the harvested crop lying in fields. The farmers demanded that government paddy purchase centres be made active immediately. RMO Haldwani Lata Mishra said talks have been held with the farmers and action will be taken soon. (Source: Amar Ujala)