Pilibhit, June 7 -- Farmers staged a protest march towards the residence of Minister of State for Sugarcane Development and Sugar Mills, Sanjay Singh Gangwar, in Pilibhit on Saturday, demanding "payment of pending sugarcane dues" and the reopening of the Majhola Cooperative Sugar Mill.

City Magistrate Vijay Vardhan Tomar said some farmers from Nawabganj gathered near the minister's residence seeking the release of payments from a sugar factory, which has been closed for some years. He added that the pending dues will be cleared after the auction related to the company is completed.

"They demanded payment from the Oswal factory, which closed three-four years ago, be released. The payment will be made after the auction is completed. Secon...