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The farmers in Gujarat, on the lines of farmers in neigbouring states of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, came out on streets across the state demanding loan waiver.

Led by Kshatriya Thakor Sena, several groups of farmers began their two-day agitation on Wednesday by pouring milk on the roads in protest. One such protest was held in Ahmedabad on S G Highway, where Thakor Sena led by its leader Alpesh Thakor, where they poured several litres of milk on the road.

Reports of dairy farmers pouring several litres of milk also came in from towns of Palanpur, Patan and Sabarkantha in North Gujarat. File photo for representational purpose

“For now we have announced milk ban in the entire state for two days. We will lead a march from Gandhi Ashram to Gandhinagar on Thursday. If the government does not heed to our demands, then on July 8, 9 and 10, we will organise a massive protest of thousands of farmers demanding waiver of our loans,” Thakor said before being detained by the local police. “If government does not accept our demands, whole of country would come to know that farmers in Gujarat are capable of throwing out those in powers,” he added.

Alpesh had earlier warned that the farmers will stop selling milk to the dairies and spill it on the streets instead. Several queues were seen at milk kiosks on late Tuesday night in anticipation of milk shortage in wake of call given by Thakor Sena. However, things were pretty normal on Wednesday.

“There is no shortage of milk with Amul in Gujarat. Not even a litre. I can confidently tell all our customers that you need to hoard milk as 36 lakh farmers from across the state continue to supply milk to us. Ahmedabad alone sees sale of 15 lakh litres,” Amul managing director R S Sodhi said.

Reports of dairy farmers pouring several litres of milk also came in from towns of Palanpur, Patan and Sabarkantha in North Gujarat. The police detained around 100 persons in this connection.

“Alpesh Thakore began agitation by seeking ban on sale of liquor. He has now reached seeking ban on sale of milk. If milk collection stops for two days, farmers lose Rs 120 crore. Gujarat dairies collect 1.45 lakh litres milk every day and we have done so even yesterday. Moreover, dairies already have 3-4 days of advance stocks so there will be no shortage if milk supply stops by a day or two,” Shankar Chaudhary, chairman of Banas Dairy and Minister of State for health (independent charge) in Gujarat government, said.

Thakor Sena has also threatened launching agitation to stop supply of vegetables to urban areas if the state government does not heed to its demands for farmers.