Farmers protest fertilizer crisis in Chhatarpur:Block National Highways 39 and 76; ministers and leaders heading to Khajuraho face disruptions

Thousands of farmers staged protests across multiple locations in Chhatarpur over a severe fertilizer shortage, blocking National Highway NH-39 near the Bamitha police station on Monday. The agitation disrupted the movement of ministers travelling to Khajuraho for a scheduled departmental review meeting. Even as preparations for the high-level meeting continued, chaos spread to nearby regions. In Harpalpur, farmers facing acute fertilizer scarcity blocked the Jhansi–Mirzapur National Highway-76 outside the local police station. Police attempted to pacify the protesters, but the crowds remained unyielding. Farmers queued overnight at Mandi for fertilizer Officials said more than 1,300 tokens had already been distributed since Monday morning, yet the crowd continued to swell. At the Satai Road mandi in the Civil Lines area, farmers were seen standing in line since late Sunday night. Just last Wednesday (December 3), the same Mandi witnessed massive chaos when thousands of farmers arrived, ultimately leading to another road blockade. Tension grew after Tehsildar slapped a student The unrest escalated further after a video emerged showing Saura Mandal Tehsildar Ritu Singhai slapping a female student. Following this, Eisanagar Tehsildar Akash Neeraj and SDM Akhil Rathore also faced accusations of misbehaving and scuffling with women. Collector Parth Jaiswal issued notices to the officials involved. Shortly after, Tehsildar Ritu Singhai’s health deteriorated, and she was admitted to the district hospital. Complaints of fertilizer being sold at black-market rates Despite the growing anger, no action has yet been taken against any officials. Fertilizer centers in Lavkushnagar are also witnessing heavy crowds. With the sowing season underway, farmers are distressed over the shortage. There are increasing complaints of DAP being sold at Rs 1,900–2,000 per bag and urea at Rs 500–600 per bag in the black market.