SHILLONG, July 8 - Local farmers went on a strike here and gheraoed the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council office today demanding fair price for their produce. They claim middlemen and traders are cutting into their share.
The biggest vegetable market � Iewduh or Bara Bazaar � was severely hit as most of the farmers didn�t sell their produce and instead went for the protest.
The farmers claim that middlemen and traders cut into their share by deducting weight of their produces. �For example, if the weight of the farm produce is 100 kg, the middlemen, through the main traders, give price for only 90 kg, this is unfair,� one of the farmers said.
This issue of weight deduction by the traders and the middlemen is on for several years and the farmers have sent several representations to the Meghalaya Government, but to no avail.
Agriculture Minister Banteidor Lyngdoh said earlier that intervention of the District Council was sought since the market falls under its jurisdiction and the Syiem of Mylliem.
He, however, added that instructions have been given to appropriate officials to see that such unfair practice is curbed and strict action would be taken against those indulging in such illegal business.
�We gheraoed the District Council office and demanded that such unfair practice is stopped immediately. The officials assured us that a committee to look into the matter would convene a meeting to take steps,� Commander Shangpliang, president of Hill Farmers� Union said.
However, such assurances have been given over the years, but still the middlemen and traders have been continuing such illegal practices in the absence of any strict action or proper monitoring of the market prices.
Some of the vegetables that were not sold in the market was radish, cabbage, cauliflower, pumpkin, potato and several other local produces.
Most of the farm produces come from Ri-Bhoi district, East Khasi Hills and West Khasi Hills. The farmers come from far-flung areas to sell their produces in Iewduh, one of the biggest vegetable markets in the North East. Local traders as well as those from Assam come here every day for business in this historic market.
