Vijayapura, Oct. 31 -- Sugarcane farmers staged protests at the Hittinahalli toll gate in Vijayapura district on Saturday, demanding a fair price of Rs 5,500 per tonne for their produce, as a statewide Karnataka bandh called by farmers' organisations was observed.

The bandh was called by the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha and Hasiru Sene over the sugarcane pricing dispute. Farmers gathered near the Hittinahalli toll gate and attempted to stage a protest, following which police personnel deployed at the spot intervened and took measures to bring the situation under control.

A verbal altercation also broke out between the protesters and police. As the demonstration gained momentum, passengers arriving from other towns were forced to walk t...