Madhya Pradesh, Maharastra farmers’ protest
Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi Tuesday blamed the Modi government for the ongoing farmers’ protests and firing in Mandsaur district of Madhya Pradesh. He said, “Government is at war with the farmers of our country.”
Meanwhile former Union Minister Kamal Nath on Tuesday supported the ongoing farmers’ protest in Mandsaur district of Madhya Pradesh, and said, “All the demands made by farmers are valid and compulsory.” Hitting out at government strategies, the Congress leader said, “Farmers are in debt because of the strategies made by Modi government and Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s government. They are not even getting the product cost. They are compelled to throw the crop being harvested by them after working hard. They have been demanding for relief since months by the government, but the government didn’t even bother. Therefore, they decided to go on a peaceful strike. But, despite hearing their demands, Chouhan chose to fire on them.”
Madhya Pradesh: 5 farmers killed as agitation turned violent
He further said, “The sacrifice made by farmers will not go in vain. Madhya Pradesh government is making a plot to throttle the farmers’ movement.” “It is shameful for the state that the community which provides food to the state is struggling on the roads without having food and water for the last six days for their valid demands,” he added.
The farmers protests turned violent when two farmers were killed in firing on Mandsaur-Neemuch highway, on Tuesday. After the killing, curfew was imposed in Pipalya Mandi area and prohibitory orders were imposed in other parts of the district.
State Home Minister Bhupendra Singh claimed that neither the local police nor CRPF opened fire at protesters. He said a probe has been initiated. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has ordered a judicial enquiry into the matter.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was forced to cancel a programme organized to felicitate the CM after the death of protesters.
In western Madhya Pradesh, farmers are protesting since June 1. They are demanding minimum support price for their farm produce, besides other things. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had on Monday said that his government is taking all necessary steps to address the issues of the agitating farmers.
