Mumbai (The Hindu): Mathadi labourers stopped work for a few hours on the second day of the farmer’s strike on Friday to protest the arrest of Satara NCP MLA Shashikant Shinde. The partial strike delayed loading and unloading work at the onion, potato, masala and grain markets.

Kailash Tajne, president, vegetable market, APMC, said, “The vegetable market was not affected by the mathadi workers’ protest as they complete their work by afternoon. Only 179 trucks came in today while nearly 600 trucks arrive normally, so the market closed early. Prices have nearly doubled. Coriander, which usually costs around ?25 to ?30 for a bunch, today cost ?50 to ?100, depending on the size.”

“The trucks that come from other States started their journey at least two days ago. In the coming days, if the strike continues, fewer trucks will make it and prices will rise furthe,” he added.

Mr. Shinde, a Mathadi leader, was protesting with the farmers in Koregaon, Satara, when he and NCP workers accompanying him were arrested on Friday. “We were protesting peacefully when the police arrested us. We were ready for that. They charged us with rioting, but released us after registering the case when they realised the agitators might turn violent,” he said.

Navi Mumbai Mathadi leader Narendra Patil asked labourers to resume work, but those who had left the market did not return so only the grain market functioned with the few workers who had stayed back.

Sitaram Kawarkhe, deputy secretary, fruit market, APMC said there were fewer customers on Friday, though supply was mostly normal. At the vegetable market, trucks bearing ginger, taro, beetroot, pumpkin, bottle guard, long beans, ridge gourd, elephant’s foot yam and brinjal did not arrive at all.

Shankarrao Patil, general manager, Warna milk, said milk supply was usual. “We get 2.15 lakh litres of milk every day, which was received on Friday. Milk supply wasn’t affected.”