A leading farmers' organisation on Thursday announced suspension of its ongoing protest march from Nashik to Mumbai over agrarian concerns after talks with the Maharashtra government.
The All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), backed by the CPI(M), announced suspension of the 180-km march from Nashik to Mumbai after a three-and-a-half hour meeting of its representatives with state ministers Girish Mahajan and Jaykumar Rawal.
- The farmers had embarked on the march on Thursday morning, but it was called off later
- Their demands included farm loan waiver, minimum support price for crops, irrigation facilities and provision of pension to agriculturists
- The AIKS has accused the government of not fulfilling assurances given to farmers last year after they marched between the two cities
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Farmers’ March to Mumbai Suspended After Talks With Maha Gov
A leading farmers' organisation on Thursday announced suspension of its ongoing protest march from Nashik to Mumbai over agrarian concerns after talks with the Maharashtra government.
The All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), backed by the CPI(M), announced suspension of the 180-km march from Nashik to Mumbai after a three-and-a-half hour meeting of its representatives with state ministers Girish Mahajan and Jaykumar Rawal.
The farmers had embarked on the march on Thursday morning, but it was called off later.
"The meeting (held Thursday) yielded positive results. We will suspend the march today," AIKS president Ashok Dhawale told PTI after the meeting between the two sides at Ambebahula village in Nashik.
This is the second time in the last one year that farmers were on the roads to protest against the "betrayal" of peasants by the BJP governments at the Centre and in the state.
Need Government's Assurances in Writing: AIKS
Maharashtra minister Girish Mahajan met some AIKS representatives in Nashik on Wednesday night.
"We held talks with the minister for over three hours. The government appeared positive to 80 percent of our demands. The minister said he would speak to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis first," AIKS president Ashok Dhawale said.
Dhawale said Mahajan informed AIKS representatives that the assurances would be given in writing.
"The AIKS has decided to go ahead with the march beginning Thursday morning till the government does so," he added.
Farmers Take a Pit Stop at Ambewada
The farmers take a pit stop at Ambewada for lunch.
Maharashtra ministers Girish Mahajan, Jaykumar Rawal Meet Farmers in Ambewada
After talking to farmers on Wednesday night, Maharashtra minister Girish Mahajan meets farmers again in Ambewada along with Jaykumar Rawal. The farmers have taken a pit stop at Ambewada for lunch.