Chikkamagaluru, May 24 -- Hundreds of farmers staged a massive protest at the APMC yard in Chikkamagaluru late on the night of Saturday, May 23, alleging that beans traders were cheating them by offering extremely low prices despite higher market rates in other parts of the state. Angry farmers locked the APMC gate and raised slogans against traders and officials, demanding immediate intervention from the district administration.

According to the protesting farmers, beans are currently being sold in Mysuru and Bengaluru APMC markets at rates ranging between Rs 85 and Rs 90 per kilogram. However, traders in Chikkamagaluru were allegedly purchasing the same produce for only Rs 40 to Rs 60 per kilogram, causing heavy losses to growers.

Far...