Holding cocoon bags, the protesters took out a rally from Silver Jubilee Park up to the deputy commissioner’s office.
Protesters under the banners of Raitha Sangha, Prantha Koolikarmikara Sangha, Janawadi Mahila Sangha, and Karnataka Rakshana Vedike participated in the protest.
They said that one kg of cocoon cost around ` 250, a couple days back. But it has dropped suddenly to ` 140. Due to this farmers are facing a tense situation, they added.
Growing silk is a hard task, if the price of the cocoons drops then farmers would face hardships.
They also demanded that by procuring 50 per cent of raw material, the Silk Marketing Board can provide succour to the ryots. They also condemned that lathi charge on cocoon growers in Ramanagar on Sunday.
The protesters warned of intense demonstrations in the coming days if the government failed to provide a support price to the farmers. The government would be held responsible for any untoward incidents, they said.
Demonstration
Karnataka Rakshana Vedike activists also staged a demonstration against the policy of CADA, near the bus stand. Later, speaking to protesters near the deputy commissioner’s office, Karnataka Raitha Sangha President Puttanaiah urged the government to address the problems of farmers.