Farmers in two of the largest states of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, which are presently ruled by the BJP have resorted to agitation over a wide-range of issues concerning their livelihood.
Five farmers were killed and two injured in Pipaliamandi area as farmers’ agitation turned violent in Mandsaur district in Madhya Pradesh today. The agitating farmers set ablaze several vehicles.
Police had to use force and lobbed tear gas shells to control the mob. State home minister Bhupendra Singh and district collector Swatantra Kumar Singh said that deaths and injuries happened in miscreants’ firing.
Government at war with farmers, says Rahul Gandhi
A judicial inquiry has been ordered into the incident. Curfew has been imposed in Pipaliamandi and Mandsaur town. In adjoining Neemuch district, the situation is no better and heavy police deployment has been made. Internet services have been stalled in Mandsour and Neemuch district.
Chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has announced an ex-gratia of ten lakh rupees each to the next of kin of deceased farmers. He said that anti-social elements have entered the farmers’ agitation. He said, the government is open to dialogue. He added that the state government has already accepted justified demands of the farmers.
Farmers in several parts of the state are on strike from first of this month. Their demands include right prices for their produces.