A farmer consumed poison her on Monday during a protest by sericulture growers against the Centre’s alleged anti-farmer policies.
The farmer, identified as Chowdegowda (35) of Ambarahalli near Maddur, was rushed to Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences (MIMS), where the doctors declared him out of danger.
A protest was organised by ‘Mandya District Sericulture Growers Forum’ near Sir M. Visvesvaraya statue, off Bengaluru-Mysuru highway in the town. Hundreds of farmers from across Mandya and Ramanagaram districts participated in the demonstration. A rally was also taken out on the highway before the commencement of the demonstration.
The farmer attempted suicide and it was prevented by fellow agitators, the police said.
Demands
The Centre was criticised by the agitators for destroying the lives of sericulture growers through its economic policies.
They wanted Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ban the import of silk, impose at least 32% of cess on the import of raw silk, announce minimum support price [of at least Rs. 550 a kg of cocoon] and provide financial assistance to sericulture and mulberry growers.
The cocoons which were selling at Rs. 450-550 a kg now cost Rs. 120-150 owing to the economic policies of the Centre, Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS) district president Shambhunahalli Suresh said.
Making mandatory the purchase of cocoons at minimum support price through the Karnataka Silk Marketing Board (KSMB) and the Karnataka Silk Industries Corporation (KSIC) could improve the livelihood of sericulture growers, he opined.
Minister’s visit
Minor Irrigation Minister C.S. Puttaraju visited MIMS to meet Chowde Gowda.
T. Yashwanth, B. Bommegowda, and T.L. Krishnegowda led the protest.
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