Farmers in Sambalpur and Bargarh districts on Tuesday intensified their agitation in protest against the centralised token system for paddy procurement.
In Sambalpur, the farmers staged protest by parking paddy-laden vehicles near the residence of Rengali MLA Nauri Nayak at Bhatra and Rairakhol MLA Rohit Pujari at Sakhipada.
They also dumped sacks containing paddy in front of the house of Sambalpur MLA Jayanarayan Mishra and staged a dharna near the residence of Kuchinda MLA Kishore Chandra Naik.
Police forces were deployed at the spots to avert any untoward incident.
An effigy of Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Ranendra Pratap Swain was burnt by farmers at Attabira in Bargarh district. The farmers also locked up the office of the Civil Supplies Department in the district.
The farmers reiterated their allegation that the introduction of the centralised token system has resulted in the delay in paddy procurement.
As per this system, tokens will be issued 15 days prior to procurement of paddy and sent to the registered mobile numbers of farmers for selling paddy at the Mandis (market yards).
