Karnal, Oct. 26 -- As the paddy harvesting season draws to a close in Haryana, several grain markets remain overcrowded, with tractor-trolleys lined up outside purchase centres due to sluggish lifting of procured stock.

On Friday, the situation escalated at Karnal's new grain market, where authorities temporarily halted procurement operations citing space constraints.

However, farmers protested the sudden suspension, saying the short notice left them with no option to store their harvested crop, risking damage and financial loss.

The announcement sparked midnight chaos at the grain market's main gate as hundreds of farmers arrived with tractor-trolleys loaded with paddy.

Sub-inspector Rajan Kumar, in charge of the police post at Secto...