Karnal, Oct. 6 -- A group of farmers on Monday blocked a national highway outside Assandh grain market in Karnal, protesting slow paddy procurement and pending verification on the Meri Fasal Mera Byora (MFMB) portal.

Several farmers, mostly non-political, blocked a section of the Karnal-Assandh road on NH-709a for several hours, causing heavy traffic jams on both routes.

A huge queue of tractor-trolleys loaded with paddy crop, already outside the grain market added to the woes.

Farmer leader Chhatarpal Singh said they had a three-hour meeting with commission agents and the market committee, urging them to allow smooth paddy purchase.

"The agents are unwilling to buy and are making useless excuses. Moreover, the government has been let...