Farmers block Khandwa–Indore highway over unpaid crop insurance claims:Place sugarcane bundles, bullock carts across road; say, ‘Govt also reduced onion prices’

Hundreds of farmers blocked the Khandwa–Indore fourlane near Chaigaon and Deshgaon on Saturday afternoon under the banner of the a farmers organisation. The protest began around 12 noon, with bullock carts placed across the bypass road and farmers sitting on dharna. Within half an hour, long queues of vehicles formed on both sides of the highway. Senior police and administrative officials reached the site soon after receiving information. See 4 pictures of the roadblock… Anger over insurance and relief payments Farmers alleged that the government has failed to provide crop insurance claims and adequate relief for Kharif season losses. According to Rajendra Prajapati of a farmers organisation, nearly two lakh farmers in the district have been affected, but only around 16,000 have received relief so far — and that too as per figures shared by the district administration. The farmers said that merely ₹5,000 is being deposited in their accounts, which is insufficient for recovery or preparing for the upcoming Rabi sowing. Symbolic protest on Dev Uthani Ekadashi Since the protest coincided with Dev Uthani Ekadashi, farmers marked the occasion by building sugarcane pavilions (mandaps) and spreading mats on the road. Many reached the site with bullock carts, displaying their anger in a traditional yet peaceful manner. Demand for lump sum payments The farmers accused the administration of delaying compensation by paying only 100–150 farmers daily. They demanded lump sum disbursement of relief to all affected farmers and fair prices for their crops. Protesters alleged that the government is misleading them in the name of gradual payments and warned that frustration is growing across villages if immediate action is not taken.