Bhubaneswar, Feb. 7 -- Allegations of a 12 per cent 'Katni-Chatni' (deduction) in paddy procurement at the Bideipur Service Cooperative Society under Basudevpur block in Bhadrak district sparked strong protests by farmers on Saturday.

The agitating farmers accused rice millers of adopting what they described as anti-farmer and "farmer-killing" policies, alleging that a significant portion of their produce was being deducted during procurement under the guise of Katni-Chatni. They claimed such practices were causing severe financial losses and pushing cultivators into distress.

As a mark of protest, the farmers staged a road blockade by placing paddy sacks on the roadway, bringing vehicular movement to a halt. Several vehicles, including...