Farmer Climbs High-Tension Tower in Janjgir-Champa Over Paddy Procurement Delays
A farmer in Chhattisgarh's Janjgir-Champa district triggered a dramatic and tense rescue operation on Saturday after scaling a high-tension electricity tower in Kasaundi. The protest was sparked by administrative delays in issuing his paddy procurement token, highlighting growing frustrations among farmers during the ongoing buying season.
Administrative Delays Prompt Extreme Protest
The farmer, identified as 35-year-old Anil Garhwal, took this extreme step after his token for selling the remaining quantity of his harvested paddy failed to materialize. According to his allegations, he had already managed to sell 28 quintals at the procurement center, but 29 quintals remained pending due to what he described as bureaucratic inefficiencies.
Garhwal's protest came after numerous visits to government offices proved fruitless in resolving his grievance. Mounting debt, estimated by local villagers at approximately Rs 1.5 lakh, added to his emotional distress, creating a volatile situation that required immediate intervention.
Six-Hour Negotiation and Rescue Operation
As news of the incident spread, villagers quickly gathered near the electricity tower and alerted local authorities. A team from Janjgir police promptly arrived at the scene and initiated negotiations, urging Garhwal to descend safely.
The situation escalated as officials from revenue and civil administration, including the tehsildar and sub-divisional magistrate (SDM), joined the prolonged counseling efforts. Home Guards personnel were deployed for additional support, and a safety net was strategically placed beneath the tower as a precautionary measure.
Eyewitnesses reported that Garhwal remained perched on the tower structure for several hours, occasionally moving along the beams while communicating with officials and family members via phone. His wife and relatives made repeated attempts to persuade him to climb down, but he steadfastly refused, insisting he would not descend until his remaining paddy was officially procured.
Broader Implications and Political Reactions
This incident has brought procurement token delays into sharp focus as a significant flashpoint for farmers in parts of Janjgir-Champa district. After nearly six hours of continuous negotiation, officials finally succeeded in convincing Garhwal to come down safely. He was subsequently taken to a local hospital for medical examination, where his condition was reported as stable.
The episode quickly drew political attention, with local Congress MLA Vyas Kashyap stating that the incident reflected wider distress among farmers regarding procurement procedures. Kashyap alleged that the absence of clear written instructions has created confusion and hardship for agricultural communities relying on timely government procurement systems.
Official Response and Future Measures
District officials have assured that Garhwal's specific grievance regarding the pending procurement token will be examined on priority basis. They emphasized that necessary steps would be taken to address genuine cases and streamline the procurement process to prevent similar incidents in the future.
This dramatic protest underscores the urgent need for administrative efficiency in agricultural support systems, particularly during critical procurement seasons when farmers' livelihoods depend on timely government intervention.
