Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister begins indefinite fast in Bhopal for restoration of peace. CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan reaches Bhopal’s Dussehra Maidan to sit on fast “for peace”, though Mandsaur, the epicentre of farmers’ agitation in Madhya Pradesh, remained peaceful on Friday.
While addressing a press conference, the CM said he would be available at the Dussehra Maidan from 11 am Saturday for farmers to come and discuss their issues but asserted that unruly elements would be dealt with strictly. The opposition slammed Shivraj for his “drama” and “hypocrisy”.
The farmers in the state are protesting over a demand for loan waivers from June 1 and setting suitable prices for the crops. During the protests six farmers have been killed in police firing in Mandsaur district while other regions of the state are also staging violent protests.
At least five persons were killed on Tuesday as the farmers’ agitation turned violent in Mandsaur district of Madhya Pradesh, prompting the authorities to clamp curfew in the trouble-hit area. Some eyewitnesses alleged that the victims suffered bullet wounds, but Mandsaur district authorities denied that police fired on the protesters, who were on a rampage. As tension prevailed, mobile internet service were suspended in Mandasur, Ratlam and Neemuch districts on Tuesday morning to check spread of rumours. Condemning the incident, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced a compensation of Rs one crore for kin of those killed during protest and accused the opposition party for instigating the violence.
In another incident in Shivpuri, a Congress MLA from Madhya Pradesh was caught on camera purportedly inciting party workers and farmers to burn down a police station here.
A wary central government, meanwhile, asked states adjoining Madhya Pradesh to keep strict vigil against the spread of farmers’ protest. The central government is in touch with states such as Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Maharashtra, and sensitising them against any possible protest by farmers, officials said in Delhi.
Source: Zee News