Sugarcane Farmers Struggle at Champaran

BOWING in front of the continued and relentless struggles waged by the CPI(ML) and All India Kisan Mahasabha, the Bihar government was forced to announce sugarcane prices for the new season and also started the due payment of the sugarcane. On 27 December a massive district band had been organized in Champaran. Terming this victory as only partial, the farmers have announced that they will continue to wage the struggle for the demands of support price at Rs. 400 per quintal and against under-weighing of sugarcane by the Mills.

AIKM organized meetings of various farmers organizations in West Champaran on 2 January to plan the struggles ahead. Several farmers leaders from various organizations including Bihar Kisan Sabha, AIKM, Bhartiya Kisan Sangh, Kisan Sangh participated in the meeting. The meeting was addressed by CPI(ML) Central Committee member Virendra Gupta. It was decided that on 5 January, a representative team will meet the DM on the issues such as Rs. 400 per quintal, and to put an end to the corruption by the cronies of the sugarcane minister who grab the purchase slips issued by sugar mills and sell it to farmers on a premium. It was also decided that a farmers demonstration will be called on 21 January 2019 at district headquarter.