Hubballi, Oct. 13 -- A day after Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar met Union Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Minister Pralhad Joshi in the national capital, security at the latter's residence in Hubballi district was tightened on Tuesday amid calls for a national highway blockade by the sugarcane farmers.

The farmers have intensified their demands while pressing for a hike in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for sugarcane. They have announced a road blockade on the National Highway. Farmers have also been demanding that their long-standing demands be implemented.

As this happened, a heavy police force was deployed, and barricades were erected on roads leading to the minister's residence.

The development comes amid an...