Affected farmers block road for compensation

Potato growers, affected due to damage of potato kept on rent at Uttara Himghar Ltd, a cold storage in Dinajpur Sadar upazila, block Dinajpur-Dhaka highway yesterday demanding compensation for the damaged as per earlier agreement with the cold storage authorities.Photo: STAR

Affected potato farmers yesterday blocked Dinajpur-Dhaka highway demanding compensation for rotting of their potatoes at Uttara Himghar Ltd, a cold storage at Boroil village under Sadar upazila, due to negligence of the authorities concerned.
Earlier on Thursday, the potato growers formed a human chain in front of Dinajpur Press Club to press home their demand. They gave a 72-hour ultimatum, saying that they would start an indefinite road blockade programme in Dinajpur from Monday if their demand is not met by Sunday.
The affected farmers of different upazila of the district gathered in front of Uttara Himghar Ltd in the morning and formed a human chain in front of the cold storage.
At around 1.05pm, the farmers blocked the highway for an hour, causing sufferings to thousands of commuters of different districts. Addressing a rally on the road, the farmers said they would again enforce road blockade programme on October 19 if their demand for compensation is not met by October 18.
According to the agreement signed on may between leaders of the affected farmers and Uttara Himghar Ltd authorities, the latter agreed to pay compensation to the affected farmers by July 15 but it is yet to be given, the farmers alleged. They urged the government to help them get compensation.
"Since last July, the cold storage authorities repeatedly deferred their dates to pay the compensation. This is October but we are yet to get our compensation," said Md Nazrul Islam, general secretary of Uttara Himghar Alu Khatigroshtho Sangram Committee.
The farmers alleged that some 40,000 sacks of potatoes kept at Uttara Himghar Ltd at Boroil village under Dinajpur Sadar upazila rot in April this year due to negligence of the authority.
The cold storage authorities stored at least 53,000 sacks (each containing 84kg) of potatoes although its capacity is only 34,000 sacks, they said.
Following farmers' agitation, the then acting Deputy Commissioner of Dinajpur formed an investigation committee headed by an upazila agriculture officer. The committee report, which held negligence of the Uttara Himghar Ltd authorities responsible for damage of the potatoes, suggested paying the affected farmers compensation of Tk 800 to Tk 1100 per sack, depending on varieties.
The cold storage authorities at a meeting with former deputy commissioner Md Shamsul Alam gave assurance of giving compensation to the affected farmers but it is yet to be given, said the affected farmers.
When contacted, Md Mira Ashfaq, acting executive director of Uttara Himghar Ltd, said, "A case was filed against Dinajpur Palli Bidyut Samity claiming compensation of Tk 11crore as they failed to maintain smooth power supply during the peak season. If we get the compensation from Palli Bidyut Samity we will pay the compensation to the affected farmers."