Belagavi: The protest by sugarcane farmers demanding a higher minimum support price (MSP) entered its eighth day on Thursday, with hundreds of growers taking out a massive bike rally in Gokak.

Farmers from Gokak town and nearby villages gathered at Gurlapura Cross in Moodalagi taluk before setting off on their 15-kilometre rally. Joined by several youngsters, the farmers rode through local routes shouting slogans and pressing their demand for an MSP of Rs 3,500 per tonne of sugarcane.

With the harvest season underway and the state government yet to announce a clear MSP for sugarcane, growers say they are left with no option but to intensify their protest. Over the past week, the agitation has been drawing wider participation, with members of various organisations, women, and youth joining the farmers in solidarity.

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Shivpuri (PTI): The 60-year-old mother of a rape accused was killed allegedly by the victim's brother in Madhya Pradesh's Shivpuri district, a police official said on Saturday.

The incident took place on Friday, Rannod police station house officer (SHO) Arvind Chauhan said.

"An anganwadi worker returning from a hospital was offered a lift by one Inder Gurjar, who took her to a secluded spot and raped her. She called up her brothers to narrate the ordeal. One brother of the victim along with two associates went to Gurjar's house and assaulted him. When Gurjar's mother Sirkunwarbai (60) intervened, she was attacked with a sharp weapon. She died on the spot," he said.

Based on a complaint filed by the deceased woman's daughter-in-law, three persons were booked for murder. One of them was held on Saturday, the official added.

A separate case has also been registered against Gurjar for rape, he said.

Police personnel have been deployed in the area in view of tension following the incident, the official added.