Lucknow, Nov 5 In a bid to protest against the alleged "forced closure" of 'kohlus'(crushers) at some parts of Uttar Pradesh, farmers' associations have threatened to launch an agitation from next week.

"Farmers' organisations have decided to launch an agitation against forced closure of 'kohlus' in Badaun from November 10," convenor of Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Sangathan V M Singh today said.

Singh said that he had also written a letter to Chief Minister Mayawati to ensure that kohlus were not closed and added, "Despite repeated assurance by the state government that kohlus will not be banned, 36 kohlus in Saraswan tehsil of Badaun district were arbitrarily closed by the district administration."

He alleged that administration had given notices to the farmers, who own kohlus and had even threatened them to show cause within seven days, as to why FIRs should not be registered against them.

- (Agencies)