Bhubaneswar: The long march of Maharashtra farmers found resonance here as thousands of farmers from across the state on Monday launched an indefinite hunger strike at Mahatma Gandhi Marg to demand fulfilment of their demands.

The farmers' association, Naba Nirman Krushak Sangathan, has been staging several agitations in the state in recent past, demanding price, pension and prestige for the farmers of the state.

Wielding farming equipment, the agitators, including the women folk, took out a massive rally. The demands also included Rs 5,000 for one quintal of paddy as minimum support price. The state has more than 36 lakh farmers.

"Price, pension and prestige are the fundamental rights of the farmers' community. The state government must call a cabinet meeting immediately and announce a budgetary allocation of Rs 21,600 crore to fulfil the demands of Rs 5,000 monthly pension calculated for the past 20 years," said sangathan co-ordinator Akshay Kumar.

The protesters also threatened not to allow any political leaders to the villages during the next general elections.

"Our protest will definitely mount pressure on the government. If the government fails to redress our problems at the earliest possible, no political leaders will be allowed to enter the villages of the state during elections," said Kumar.

"The state government has turned blind eye to the farmers' problems. While it has been spending a lot towards industries and other schemes, it is yet to look into our problems. The agitation will continue in the state, and we will not budge till the government comes up with any concrete action," said a protester.

BJD spokesperson Tejes-war Parida said the government was aware of the farmers' plights. "The state has been conducting discussions with the associations, and decision will be taken at the appropriate time," said Parida.