Tourists had a tough time in Araku on Monday due to a rasta roko by tribal farmers, demanding wages from the authorities for taking up coffee and oak plantations.

Farmers stopped all vehicles on the main road and staged a dharna, raising slogans and demanding that the authorities immediately pay wage dues pending since five years.

“Farmers are losing interest in growing coffee plants and silver oak trees. Government announced perks to farmers to encourage coffee and silver oak cultivation in the Agency areas. These perks dues are pending,” said Mr O. Baladev, who led the agitation.

Farmers from 14 panchayats in Araku mandal took part in Monday’s stir. The agitation resulted in a traffic jam from the main road of Araku to some extent of the Vizag ghat road, for more than two hours and created inconvenience to tourists.