Tension flared at the district headquarters today after farmers from Ranisahi Service Cooperative Society staged a dharna outside the office of the Chief Supply Officer.
The protest erupted following allegations that a woman officer used abusive language against farmers in the presence of the local sarpanch.
Farmers, led by Ranisahi sarpanch, sat in protest demanding an apology from the officer. They condemned the alleged behaviour and vowed to continue their dharna until the officer expressed regret. The incident caused chaos in the office premises for some time.
According to farmers, they had come to complain about delays in paddy procurement, which has been stalled in several mandis across the district. They alleged that millers are not lifting paddy and tokens are lapsing, leaving cultivators helpless and forcing distress sales.
The officer denied using abusive words and claimed nothing of the sort had happened. She said the procurement issue had been resolved, and discussions with farmers ended in mutual understanding. However, farmers recorded videos during the exchange, which reportedly captured the officer expressing displeasure.
Later, other officials and millers intervened to pacify the farmers and restore order. The incident has sparked debate among locals, with intellectuals stressing that government officers must maintain respectful conduct while dealing with the public.
Meanwhile, reports suggest the department is planning to distribute four months’ advance rice to ration beneficiaries to ease storage pressure, as godowns are already full with rabi paddy and rice stocks.
