MP Farmers’ Unrest: Curfew Lifted; Farmer-Friendly Plans Announced
Chief Minister Shivraj Chouhan will sit on Dusserah grounds for open discussion with farmers from Saturday.
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- Swaraj India chief Yogendra Yadav and other activists were briefly detained in Ratlam on Sunday
- They were barred from entering Mandsaur to meet the victims’ kin
- Curfew has been lifted in Mandsaur
- CM Shivraj Singh ended his ‘peace’ fast at Dussehra Ground in Bhopal on Sunday
- Another farmer succumbed to injuries in violence-hit Mandsaur on Friday taking the toll to six
- Tension escalated in the district on Tuesday after five farmers were killed in police firing
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Sunday ended his day-old indefinite fast which he started for the restoration of peace in his state rocked by violence during a farmers’ agitation.
He announced a series of decisions aimed at the welfare of the state’s farmers, including buying of all crops on Minimum Support Prices, purchase of milk as per Amul Dairy’s formula, and setting up of farmers markets in Madhya Pradesh to save them from the clutches of middlemen.
The government has decided to set up a Rs 1,000 crore corpus to ensure stabilisation of farm produce prices so as to ensure remunerative prices of crops.
There will be no land acquisition without the consent of affected farmers. Former Chief Minister Kailash Joshi offered coconut water to Chouhan for ending his fast at the Dussehra Maidan.
Yogendra Yadav, Medha Patkar, Swami Agnivesh Released
Swaraj India chief Yogendra Yadav, social activists Medha Patkar and Swami Agnivesh were released after being briefly detained on Sunday after they made attempts to enter Mandsaur to meet the families of the six persons killed in police firing during the farmers’ stir.
The activists, around 30 in number, were stopped by the police at the Dhodhar toll plaza in the neighbouring Ratlam district.
The police told them that their visit could disturb peace in Mandsaur, from where curfew was lifted on Saturday.
Shivraj Chouhan Breaks Fast
Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Sunday broke his one day long fast.
Curfew Lifted in Mandsaur
Curfew was on Saturday lifted from Mandsaur city as the district, the district administration said.
The district administration also said the Internet services in the district, which were suspended on 5 June after the out break of violence, will be restored by Sunday morning.
Mandsaur Superintendent of Police Manoj Kumar Singh said the curfew has been lifted from all the three police station areas of the Mandsaur city where it was imposed. However, prohibitory orders under section CrPC 144, which bans assembly of more than four persons, will remain in force in the district. Demonstrations, protests and rallies will not be allowed in the district, he said.
AAP Leaders Barred From Mandsaur
A delegation of the Aam Aadmi Party was stopped by the police from entering Mandsaur, a day after Rahul Gandhi and other Congress leaders were turned back by
Jaora city SP Deepak Kumar Shukla said the AAP leaders were not allowed to enter Mandsaur and sent back from Ratlam.
Shivraj To Hold 'Indefinite Fast' For Peace
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Chouhan on Friday announced that he will hold an indefinite fast to restore peace in the state. He also announced the launch of an open darbaar, where he will meet farmers and hold conversations with them.
BJP To File FIR Against Congress MLA
BJP will soon lodge a complaint against Congress MLA Shakuntala Khatik for inciting violence, reported News18.
The Kerera MLA, in a video, was seen asking people to set a police station on fire while the police were requesting her to leave the spot.
Speaking to News18, however, Khatik said that she asked protesters to set the police station ablaze in the “heat of the moment”.
CPI(M) demands Shivraj's Resignation
Following the death of yet another farmer in the Mandsaur violence, CPI(M) demanded the resignation of CM Shivraj Chouhan, and demanded that there be an end to the brutality against farmers.
Police Arrests People For Stone-Pelting
DIG Bhopal Raman Singh on Friday said that 27 people were arrested for stone-pelting, while the police were trying to disperse protesting crowd in a peaceful manner.
Traffic has been diverted in Indore-Bhopal border, reported ANI.
Police Won't Let AAP Enter Mandsaur
Mandsaur Superintendent of Police Manoj Singh said that the AAP leaders would not be allowed to visit Mandsaur town, where curfew was partially lifted on Friday between 9 am and 6 pm.
Vehicles Set Ablaze on Bhopal-Indore Highway
Vehicles are being set ablaze on the Indore-Bhopal highway in Fanda, reported ANI.
Another Farmer Dies in Mandsaur
A 26-year-old farmer Ghanshyam Dhakad died in Badvan village of violence-stricken Mandsaur village on Friday, with locals alleging that he was beaten up by the police. The wife of the deceased farmer attempted suicide, reported ANI.
According to the Collector, the cause of death is being investigated.
Aam Aadmi Party Leaders to Visit Mandsaur
A day after Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi visited Mandsaur, a delegation from Aam Aadmi Party will visit the violence-hit region in Madhya Pradesh today and is likely to meet the farmers. The news was confirmed by AAP leader Gopal Rai in a press conference.
Police, however, said that the leaders will not be allowed to enter Mandsaur during the curfew relaxation period.
156 People Arrested For Violence: Police
156 people have been arrested in Mandsaur for violence, Superintendent of Police Manoj Kumar Singh, said on Friday.
Tamil Nadu Farmers Express Solidarity With Mandsaur Farmers
Tamil Nadu farmers on Friday resumed their protests in Chennai and expressed solidarity with the farmers killed in Mandsaur.
Curfew Relaxed in Mandsaur Between 10 am and 6 pm
The curfew in Mandsaur has been relaxed between 10 am and 6 pm on Friday.
Rahul Meets Kin Of Killed Farmers
Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi met the family of deceased farmers at the Madhya Pradesh-Rajasthan border, reported ANI.
Speaking to the media at the border, Gandhi said that only the richest fifty are given loan waivers by the Indian government and not the farmers. He also questioned the government, asking:
The Congress handle tweeted saying that the families of the victims want the deceased to be called “martyrs”.
Farmers' Protest Spreads To Shajapur
Violence and unrest due to the farmers’ protest in Mandsaur has spread to Shajapur, with protesters setting vehicles ablaze in the city.
Rahul Gandhi Released
Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi who was detained by the Madhya Pradesh police has been released. He was arrested under Section 151, which prohibits a person from joining an assembly that has already been asked to disperse.
Curfew Relaxed on Thursday Evening
Curfew has been relaxed in Mandsaur region between 4 pm to 6 pm on Thursday evening.
Mandsaur has been reeling under simmering violence for the last three days, following the killing of five farmers during the ongoing farmers’ protest.
"Should Wait For Probe Report": Rajnath Singh
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that he had information regarding anti-social elements trying to instigate the violence.
"My Govt Is For Farmers": CM Shivraj Chouhan
MP Chief Minister Shivraj Chouhan, in a video message, called for the people to stay united and work for the progress of the state. In the video message he said:
"Govt Apathetic Towards Farmers": Rahul Gandhi
Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi who has been detained by the MP police said that the government was apathetic towards farmers. He also said:
Rahul Gandhi Detained Near Mandsaur by Police
Rahul Gandhi has been taken into preventive custody near Mandsaur by the police under Section 151. Gandhi jumped barricades at the border when the police intercepted him, Hindustan Times reported.
Speaking to the media, the Congress VP lashed out at the BJP, accusing the ruling party of keeping “anyone who disagrees with their point of view” away from the violence-hit area.
He further blamed the Modi government for not paying heed to the farmers’ demands. “Na kisaano ka karza maaf karte hain, na bonus dete; bas goliyaan dete hain”, he said.
Venkaiah Naidu Calls Rahul's Visit a 'Photo Op'
Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu accused the Congress of instigating and politicising farmers' stir in Madhya Pradesh and termed Rahul Gandhi's planned visit to the violence-hit Mandsaur as "another photo opportunity".
Rahul Gandhi Travels to Mandsaur by Bike, Cops Try to Stop Him
Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi rode pillion on a motorcycle and walked some distance to reach Mandsaur from Rajasthan's Chittorgarh district.
As he made his way to the epicentre of the farmers' protest, the local police in Madhya Pradesh made it clear that he will not be allowed to enter the district.
He later took to Twitter to lash out at Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan governments for trying to stop him from reaching Mandsaur.
Gandhi is accompanied by PCC Rajasthan chief Sachin Pilot and other party leaders, including Digvijay Singh, Girija Vyas, Kamalnath.
Pipliamandi Inspector Removed in Connection with Firing
Town Inspector of Pipliamandi Anil Singh Thakur was removed from his post, in connection with Tuesday’s firing that killed five farmers in Mandsaur.
Police Detains 62 Persons
The Madhya Pradesh Police detained 62 persons in connection with the ongoing farmers’ agitation and heckling of the Collector in the state’s Mandsaur district. An FIR has also been lodged.
Death of Five Farmers Due to Police Firing: MP Home Minister
The five farmers who were killed in Mandsour, died due to police firing, Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Bhupendra Singh told ANI.
Former MP CM and Senior Congress leader Digivijaya lashed out at Singh, questioning his intentions.
Toll Plaza Vandalised in Mandsaur
A toll plaza on the Ujjain-Mandsaur highway was vandalised by protesters, as the agitation intensified on Thursday. Around Rs 8-10 lakh was looted from the toll booth, ANI reported.
RAF Contingents Deployed in Mandsaur
Two companies of RAF, comprising around 100 men each, have moved into Pipliamandi in Mandsaur, the site of Tuesday's shooting of five farmers, police said.
While two companies of RAF have been posted in Garoth area in the district, another two have been deployed along the Mwoh-Neemuch Highway to prevent any untoward incidents, they said.
Congress Calls Farmers' Killings 'Cold-Blooded Murder'
Opposition Party Congress, on Thursday, termed the killing of five farmers in Mandsaur as "cold-blooded murder" by the ruling BJP government and questioned PM Narendra Modi’s silence on the issue.
The Congress accused the BJP of “acting as a curse of death for Indian farmers,”
India Today reported.
Mandsaur SP and Collector Transferred, New Collector Appointed
The Shivraj Singh Chouhan government on Thursday transferred the collector and superintendent of police of Mandsaur district which witnessed the death of five farmers in police firing.
Mandsaur Collector Swatantra Kumar Singh is transferred as deputy secretary Mantralaya. Singh was replaced with OP Shrivastava, official sources said.
The government also transferred Mandsaur SP, OP Tripathi and posted Manoj Kumar Singh in place of him, the sources added.
Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, JD(U) Leader Sharad Yadav Leave for Mandsaur
Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi left Delhi to meet the kin of the farmers who were killed in the protests.
Gandhi was denied permission by the local authorities to attend the funeral of a farmer who died in the protest, Congress party Deputy General Secretary Mohan Prakash alleged on Wednesday.
Janta Dal (United) senior leader Sharad Yadav too left to meet the families of the killed farmers in Mandsaur on Thursday.
5 Farmers Killed During Protests on Tuesday, MP CM Announces New Fund
Five farmers were killed and several others injured on Tuesday in Madhya Pradesh’s Mandsaur district after police allegedly opened fire on the protesting farmers, who had gathered to demand loan waiver and higher Minimum Support Prices (MSPs).
MP Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan ordered a judicial probe after holding a meeting with senior civil and police officers. He announced Rs 1 crore as compensation for the kin of the victims. He has also promised government jobs to one member from each aggrieved family.
Chouhan took to Twitter to announce the starting of Price Stabilisation Fund, worth Rs 1,000 crore. The fund will help farmers in recovering the actual cost of their produce in case they suffer losses.
Meanwhile, violence intensified in the state as vehicles were set on fire on Wednesday in Dewas, about 200-km away from Mandsaur, to protest the killing of five farmers. A curfew has also been imposed in Piplia Mandi, about 15-km away from violence-stricken Mandsaur.
In attempt to curb the violence, the Centre has sent 1,100 anti-riots police personnel to Mandsaur. According to ANI, Centre has sent five additional battalions of paramilitary forces while five battalions were already deployed.
An AAP delegation consisting of party leaders Sanjay Singh, Ashutosh, Somnath Bharti, Bhagwant Mann and Sadhu Singh will visit Mandsaur on Friday. The leaders will interact with the farmers there.
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