India, Dec. 15 -- A simmering discontent over inability to sell paddy despite opening of mandis has now erupted into a full-blown farmers' agitation with a district-wide shutdown call on December 19 in Odisha's Sambalpur district. The bandh call was given by the Paschim Odisha Krushak Sangathan Samanwaya Samiti after the crisis reached a breaking point with non-issuance of procurement tokens.

Calling out the lapse as sheer administrative apathy, the outfit has also announced a series of innovative protest programmes beginning December 16, warning the government of intensified agitation if the token issue is not resolved immediately.

Administration draws fire as protests escalate As per reports, farmers across Sambalpur district are yet...