By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, March 29, 2016 : Thousands of farmers under the banner of Navnirman Krushak Sangathan (NKS) on Tuesday launched Jail Bharo [go jail] agitation here demanding price, prestige and pension.

Their talks with Odisha government on Monday failed.

The rally was stopped near PMG square and about 800-1000 farmers were taken into preventive custody after they attempted to gatecrash into the Assembly, according to Bhubaneswar deputy police commissioner, Satyabrata Bhoi.

Due to heat and exhaustion, many farmers fainted during the agitation.

Police Commissioner Y B Khurania was seen speaking to farmers in an attempt to contain the situation. Security has been beefed up around the area to avoid any untoward incident.

“If the state is a family, we are the breadwinners. This Government, however, has failed us. Farmers have committed suicide and everyone knows this. The families of the deceased deserve compensation. This would only be possible, if the government acknowledges that they committed suicide. But the government keeps denying it in order to hide its own failure. We would not back down anymore. Let them arrest us,” said a farmer while being taken away by the cops near Lower PMG.

“We are aware about the issues they have raised. Talks are on to work out a solution. We will take necessary steps in due course of time,” said BJD Spokesperson Amar Satpathy.

Earlier on Monday, seven BJD MLAs, including Satpathy and Sashi Bhusan Behera, had met the members of Navnirman Krushak Sangathan (NKS) yesterday in lower PMG trying to convince them out of the agitation. State Convener of NKS Akshay Kumar, however, briefed the newsmen that the talks had failed as the government didn’t accept their demands.

The farmers have long been demanding payment of compensation to the families of farmers that committed suicide, provision of Rs 5,000 pension for farmers, better procurement facilities, higher minimum support price, better social recognition and drought compensation among others.