Open paddy procurement centre at union level

Farmers of Dinajpur, Rangpur, Joypurhat and Naogaon yesterday staged demonstrations and held rallies in front of the deputy commissioner's and food controller's offices in their respective districts to realise their seven-point demand.

The demands include setting up of a food procurement centre at level to procure rice and paddy directly from farmers at government rates, financial compensation for haor famers, interest free loan, rehabilitation of farmers, and withdrawal of certificate cases against farmers.

They also demanded introduction of rationing system, stopping of bribery and corruption at government offices, and allocation of khas land to the genuine landless families.

Bangladesh Krishak Samity, Bangladesh Khetmajur Samity, Bangladesh Khetmajur Union, Biplobi Krishak Sanghati, Bangladesh Krishak Khetmajur Samity and Samajtantrik Khetmajur O Krishak Front organised the programme.

In Dinajpur, farmers and farm workers gathered in front of Dinajpur Club yesterday morning. After holding a rally there, they marched to Dinajpur food office in Balubari area. Later, they went to the deputy commissioner's office in a procession and held a rally there.

At the rally, speakers said farmers of Dinajpur cannot supply their paddy to the government because of the middlemen. They urged the government to procure paddy directly from farmers.

Altaf Hossain, president of Bangladesh Khetmajur Samity, was among the speakers.

In Rangpur, farmers and farm workers along with the leaders of their organisation gathered in front of the district Press Club. After parading different streets of Rangpur town, they besieged the food office and the deputy commissioner's office at around 1:00pm.

The speakers at the programme said farmers have always being neglected in the country, and urged the government to ensure rights of farmers and farmland workers.

Chandan Ghosh, president of Rangpur unit of Bangladesh Krishak Samity, and Mominul Islam, convener of Samajtantrik Khetmajur O Krishak Front were among the speakers. 

Similar programmes were held in Joypurhat and Naogaon.