Farmer leader Akshay Kumar’s hunger strike

BHUBANESWAR: Farmer leader and national coordinator of Navnirman Krushak Sangathan (NNKS) Akshay Kumar has continued his hunger strike protesting ‘katni chhatni’, with the agitation entering its 15th day on Saturday.

On strike since February 15, Kumar has been demanding abolition of the practice of deducting 5-6 kg paddy per quintal during procurement at mandis across the state. Despite being on protest for half a month, he said, none from the state’s Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare or Cooperation departments has reached out to the sangathan for talks.