Periyapatna: Hundreds of farmers from across Periyapatna taluk, who gathered in front of the Agriculture Department office in the town, were in for a shock this morning as the office did not open even after a couple of hours beyond the 10 am scheduled time of opening.

The Agriculture Department had issued slips to beneficiary farmers across the taluk since Saturday for distribution of tarpaulins meant for agricultural use and were told to come today.

As told, hundreds of farmers came to the office this morning and found it locked. The enraged farmers called the Police, following which cops intervened and contacted a contract worker of the department, who came and opened the doors.

The contract worker expressed helplessness that there was only a stock of 200 tarpaulins when hundreds more were required. The Police later convinced the irate farmers and talked to the Agriculture Department officials following which distribution of the available tarpaulins took place under tight Police security.

Meanwhile, it is learnt that the Department officials, anticipating the ire of farmers as tarpaulins stock was much below the requirement, had not bothered to open the office until they got confirmation about the arrival of more stock of tarpaulins. The fresh arrival of tarpaulins were also distributed under tight Police security.