Tension prevailed among farmers in Odisha’s Balasore district after allegations of irregularities surfaced in the Rabi paddy registration process, leading to a protest at a cooperative society office on Tuesday.

According to reports, the situation turned tense at the Badamandaruni Service Cooperative Society under Bhograi block after a large number of farmers alleged they were unfairly left out of the paddy procurement registration list. Agitated farmers reportedly locked the secretary and three staff members inside the office premises and staged a protest demanding immediate clarification and correction of the registration process.

Hundreds of farmers gathered outside the society office, alleging large-scale irregularities in the selection of beneficiaries for Rabi paddy procurement. The protesters claimed that although more than 700 farmers are registered under the cooperative society, only around 300 have been included in the current procurement registration process, leaving nearly 400 farmers out.

The protesting farmers alleged that the society secretary manipulated the registration list and failed to ensure transparency in the selection process. They demanded a fair verification of records and inclusion of all eligible farmers in the procurement system.

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One of the protesting farmers said he had submitted all necessary documents twice for registration and was repeatedly assured by officials that he would receive a phone call confirming his enrollment. However, he claimed that no communication was received even after the deadline passed.

Another farmer echoed similar concerns, stating that all 700 registered farmers were earlier assured inclusion, but only a fraction were selected this year without a proper explanation.

The incident created tension in the area, prompting calls for administrative intervention to resolve the dispute and restore normalcy.