Sarlahi, November 6:

Sugarcane farmers brought vehicular movement to a halt on the Hariwan section of the East-West Highway for an hour to pressure the government to address their demands.

The farmers blocked the highway at the call of UML-affiliated All Nepal Farmers Organisation (ANFO). The protesters accused the government of not paying heed to their problems. The road closure lasted till 1 pm. ANFO president Raj Kumar Upreti blamed authorities for not hiking the price of sugarcane despite the hike in the price of seeds, fertilisers, and transportation fares.

Krishna Kafle, a farmer, said we wanted the government to make chemical fertilisers available at affordable rates and provide subsidies.