Bhubaneswar, May 26 -- Tension prevailed among farmers in Odisha's Balasore district after allegations of irregularities surfaced in the Rabi paddy registration process, leading to a protest at a cooperative society office on Tuesday.

According to reports, the situation turned tense at the Badamandaruni Service Cooperative Society under Bhograi block after a large number of farmers alleged they were unfairly left out of the paddy procurement registration list. Agitated farmers reportedly locked the secretary and three staff members inside the office premises and staged a protest demanding immediate clarification and correction of the registration process.

Hundreds of farmers gathered outside the society office, alleging large-scale irre...