After nine days of fierce protests across Belagavi, sugarcane farmers celebrated a hard-fought victory on Friday evening as Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced a revised price of Rs 3,300 per tonne, up from the earlier Rs 3,200 offer. The breakthrough came after intense second-round talks between the CM, sugar factory owners, and farmer leaders, with factories agreeing to pay Rs 3,250 and the government adding a Rs 50 subsidy. Jubilant farmers at protest sites burst crackers, distributed sweets, and danced in joy, marking the end of a movement that had paralyzed key roads.

The agitation began with demands for Rs 3,500 per tonne — matching rates in neighboring Maharashtra — and grew intense despite visits from ministers HK Patil and Shivanand Patil. Farmers accused the government of ignoring their plight, forcing a standoff. Tensions peaked on Friday when a peaceful sit-in near Hattargi Toll Naka in Hukkeri taluk turned violent after police tried to clear a blocked vehicle, allegedly assaulting a driver. Angry farmers retaliated with stones, injuring six officers and damaging a police van and a goods vehicle.

Belagavi SP Dr Bheemashankar Guled rushed to the spot, denying lathi-charge claims and calling the clash a "misunderstanding." Over 50 CCTV cameras were installed to identify culprits, while farmer leader Chunnappa Pujari condemned the violence, blaming "a few miscreants" and apologizing to injured police. The unrest spilled over: at Gurlapur Cross, farmers hurled slippers and bottles at Sugar Minister Shivanand Patil’s convoy, and in Panchagavi, MLA Ashok Pattan was chased away by protesters.

Also Read: Belagavi Farmers Hurl Slippers at Minister Shivanand Patil Amid Sugarcane Price Row

Despite the chaos, unity paid off. Farmer leader Shashikant Padasalagi hailed the Rs 3,300 deal as a "victory for farmers’ strength," noting factory owners had initially refused to go beyond Rs 3,200 even if it meant shutdowns. Farmers now plan a massive rally during the winter legislative session in Belagavi to demand faster payments (within 14 days of harvest), loan waivers, and clearance of pending dues.

While most celebrated, Chunnappa Pujari remained cautious, saying he’ll consult farmers before fully accepting the offer and demanding the sugar minister visit Gurlapur Cross on Sunday to give written assurance. With the protest called off and cane prices secured, Belagavi’s farmers have shown that collective action can move mountains — and governments.

Also Read: Farmers’ Stir Halts Sugar Production Across North Karnataka as Price Dispute Escalates