Sangrur, June 4

Sugarcane growers protested outside the gate of Dhuri Sugar Mill, seeking an immediate release of Rs 27.50 crore.

They threatened to start an indefinite protest if the mill authorities failed to release their payment.

“The authorities should have released the amount immediately after the purchase of sugarcane in February,” said Dr Anwar Bhasaur, AAP general secretary, Sangrur district.

The farmers and union leaders staged a dharna from 11 am to 3 pm, which they lifted following the authorities’ assurance that their payment would be released at the earliest.

“The farmers are under debt and the delay has only compounded their problems,” said Kulwant Singh, a farmer.

Dhuri SDM Amareshwar Singh said the farmers had submitted a memorandum to him. “We will take up the matter with the mill authorities,” said the SDM.