Mandsaur farmers agitation latest updates: Two youths have been arrested in connection with the violence that took place in Fatehabad, said SSP Jagdeesh Kajla. BJP national vice-president Prabhat Jha says that Congress is politicising farmers’ issues adding that Kakkaji is being used by the Congress and is not a genuine Congress leader. Narmada Bachao Andolan’s Medha Patkar reached Sehore to express support to farmers, will hold rally soon. District administration is on alert in Sehore, Madhya Pradesh. Police is on extra vigil at 35 places identified to as “sensitive”. Narmada Bachao activist Medha Patkar and representatives of the Kisan Sabha will address farmers in Sehore at 5 pm. Farmers protest in Madhya Pradesh has started with state government claiming to have made ‘appropriate security arrangements’. Mandsaur remains hotbed of all political activities where five farmers were killed in police firing last year on this day. State government has put in 89 companies of SAF and more than 20,000 jawans on duty to deal with any untoward situation. IG Intelligence Makrand Deuskar said that state government has made all arrangements. He suspected that situation might turn violent in later stages of farmers’ protest according to intelligence inputs. The main demands of farmers include waiving entire loan of farmers, pension to farmers after 55 years and Minimum Support Price (MSP) on 65 litres of milk, fruits and vegetables. The farmers who have called for the ten-day long protest will observe ‘Gaon Bandh’ from 1 June to 10 June, 5 June as Dhikkar Divas, 6 June as Saheed Sahadat Divas, 8 June as Asahyog Divas and 10 June as Bharat Bandh. Farmers’ unions in Madhya Pradesh launched a mega 10-day protest on Friday, shutting down supply of milk, vegetables and essential farm produce. Residents in Mandsaur complained of rise in prices of vegetables due to the farmer protests. According to other media reports, protests are being staged in Maharashtra and Punjab as well. Last year this day, several farmers died due to beating and firing by police in Mandsaur district of Madhya Pradesh on 6 June last year, the farmers are going to launch “Gaon Bandh” (village blockade) agitation from Friday, said a farmer representative on Thursday. During the period, no eatables would be supplied from villages to cities in the state. Although the state government has made arrangements to minimise the impact of agitation, cities are set to see shortage of items like vegetables and milk. [caption id=“attachment_3783799” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]
Representational image. Twitter/@_SwarajIndia[/caption] Chief of Aam Kisan Union Kedar Sirohi told IANS that the agitation enjoys the support of more than 150 farmers organisation. Besides, all 50 Panchayats of the state have also announced to fight for the rights of farmers. “The government responds to the rightful demands of the farmers with lathis and bullets. 6 June is a black day for farmers. Nothing will be supplied by villages to cities for the next 10 days, neither will anything be brought from the cities during the period,” Sirohi said. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who reached Bhopal on Thursday, however, dubbed the farmers’ agitation as an agitation of the Congress party. “The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in the state is working for the welfare of farmers and it has taken several big decisions in their interest,” he said. BJP Rajya Sabha member from Madhya Pradesh Prabhat Jha also said that the Congress was solely responsible for the violence during last year’s agitation. Responding to the charge, state Congress chief Kamal Nath said it is very surprising that those who ordered fired at the farmers demanding their due are now trying to shift the blame for violence on his party. On being asked by reporters to comment on the proposed farmers’ agitation, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan declined to say anything. Ahead of the agitation, the Mandsaur district administration has made elaborate security arrangements. Some farmers have also been made to sign surety bonds that asks them to ensure that they would not indulge in violence. With inputs from IANS
Mandsaur farmers' protests updates: Medha Patkar reaches Sehore to support farmers, hold rally
Farmers protest in Madhya Pradesh has started with state government claiming to have made ‘appropriate security arrangements’. Mandsaur remains hotbed of all political activities where five farmers were killed in police firing last year today.
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Rahul Gandhi meets family members of 2017 firing victims, says they are still waiting for justice
Before addressing a farmers rally in Mandsaur, Congress president Rahul Gandhi met the family members of the six farmers who were killed in the 2017 police firing in Mandsaur. In a tweet, he said that an FIR is yet to be filed in the matter and the families are still awaiting justice.
‘RSS trained Modi, but we are different’
Asserting that the Congress would waive farm loans within 10 days of coming to power in Madhya Pradesh, Rahul Gandhi mentioned how Karnataka and Punjab government have already waived the farmer loans. “I met Narendra Modi ji and demanded justice for farmers. He waived off Rs 2.5 lakh loan of 15 people. He should also waive loans of farmers,” Rahul said.
Making his poll pitch in Madhya Pradesh, Rahul said, “Modi ji’s education is different, that is from RSS of hatred and anger but our education is different and is of love.”
Input by Shahroz Afridi, 101Reporters
Rahul promises to bring reform to allow direct payment in mandis to farmers
“We want to change lives of farmers. If voted to power, Congress would install food processing units in all districts of Madhya Pradesh. You (farmers) will get the benefit directly. A food supply chain would be developed in Madhya Pradesh,” Congress president Rahul Gandhi said in Mandsaur.
Input by Shahroz Afridi, 101Reporters
Rahul Gandhi attacks Modi on Doka La issue
Congress president Rahul Gandhi hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not raising Doka La issue during his visit to China. “Modi rides swings with the Chinese president and then China sends its troops in Doka La. Yet Modi remained silent on issue,” he said.
By Shahroz Afridi, 101Reporters
‘Mehul Choksi is Mehul bhai to our prime minister’
“Narendra Modi addresses Mehul Choksi as Mehul bhai, Nirav Modi as Nirav bhai. Modi gave them Rs 30,000 crore, which could have used to waive off loans of farmers of Madhya Pradesh,” Rahul Gandhi said in his address.
He hit out at the government over the issue of unemployment. “Modi promised of providing 2 crore jobs to the youth, promised Rs 15 lakh to each. Did any in the crowd got job or the money. ‘Made in China’ products are dominant everywhere,” he said.
Input by Shahroz Afridi, 101Reporters
‘No point of our governments if we can’t protect our farmers’
In Mandsaur, Rahul Gandhi demanded action against people who fired upon the innocent farmers. “The governments are of no use if they one cannot provide security to farmers and their families. A total of 1,200 farmers committed suicide in Madhya Pradesh. Did any rich person or their family member commit suicide who have lakhs of crores as debt.”
Input by Shahroz Afridi, 101Reporters
Rahul Gandhi address rally, says BJP government does not care about farmers
Congress president Rahul Gandhi hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP chief ministers who make statements about helping farmers. “When the farmer makes demands, the Madhya Pradesh chief minister says he doesn’t have time for them,” he said.
He said that if Congress is elected to power, “If Congress is elected to power in Madhya Pradesh, we will waive farmer loans in 10 day of forming government,” he said.
Farmers son Shivraj killing farmers, says PCC Chief Kamal Nath
“During Congress regime farmers demanded increase in MSP, but in BJP rule they are fighting to get minimum rates of their produce leave along demand of hike in MSP. Rs 200 crores are spent every month by Shivraj on publicity getting his photos published in newspapers. Why doesn’t he spend this money for job employment for youth,” he PCC Chief Kamal Nath asked.
Input by Shahroz Afridi, 101Reporters
Scindia hits out at Modi govt over high fuel prices, makes five demands
Making a scathing attack on Modi government over petrol and diesel prices, Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia said that the price of fuel are rising with speed of bullet train.
He made five demands:
1) Jain commission report should be made public.
2) FIR on police officials who fired on farmers.
3) Take back cases against 7000 farmers that was lodged last year on innocent farmers.
4) Farmers should be paid cash in mandi.
- MSP should be ensured to farmers.
Input by Shahroz Afridi, 101Reporters
‘Modi does note bandi, Shivraj Singh Chouhan did kisan bandi’
Criticizing the BJP government in Madhya Pradesh, Jyotiraditya Scindia said that the government of state forces the farmers to file bonds to maintain the law and order. “Modi does notebandi (demonetisation), Shivraj Singh Chouhan did kisan bandi,” Scindia said.
Scindia also criticised Shivraj’s ‘Bhavantar’ scheme. “Prices of all produce have dropped due this scheme. His scheme forced the farmers to throw away tomatoes, onion and garlic on roads. ‘Ghosnaveer Shivraj’ did nothing for farmers in state,” he said.
By Shahroz Afridi, 101Reporters
Rahul Gandhi pays his respects to 6 farmers killed in 2017 police firing in Mandsaur
Image courtesy: Twitter@INCIndia
Mandsaur firing victims are martyrs, not farmers, says Scindia
Quoting Mahatma Gandhi’s satyagraha andolan, Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia said, “Madhya Pradesh is deteriorating under Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s rule. (Six farmers who died in 2017).. are martyrs not farmers.”
Input by Shahroz Afridi, 101Reporters
More than 150 buses carrying farmers reach venue ground
More than 150 buses and 1,500 four wheelers have reached the rally ground apart from other modes of transport used for bringing farmers for the rally. This figure is only of Daloda Highway road to Mandsaur.
By Shahroz Afridi, 101Reporters
Shivraj Singh Chouhan govt insensitive towards farmers, says Digvijaya Singh
Talking to reporters, former Madhya Pradesh chief minister and senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh said that Shivraj Singh Chouhan government is not sensitive towards farmers.
Input by Shahroz Afridi, 101Reporters
Ahead of Rahul Gandhi’s address, Congress slams BJP over 2017 firing incident
Congress took to Twitter to lash out at the BJP, a year after six farmers died in police firing in Mandsaur. “It has been a year since the barbaric killing in Mandsaur took place at the behest of the BJP government. Far from giving justice to the farmers and their families, no FIR was lodged against those people, who fired bullets into the chests of farmers demanding their legitimate,” it said.
Recap: This is what Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had told Firstpost in 2017 after the firing incident:
“I must admit that I did not visualise that such an agitation would ever take place. Secondly, this agitation has not taken place across the state and is restricted to some areas. It was beyond our imagination that a handful of people could cause arson and violence by setting vehicles on fire, which is why we took requisite action and suspended the collector and the superintendent of police of the area. The compensation waiver has been credited to their account. The families of those who have lost a loved one are our own people and we will always stand by them.”
Congress leader Kamal Nath reaches Mandsaur to participate in the rally
Input by Salman Qureshi, 101Reporters
Visuals from the rally in Mandsaur
Input by Aashutosh Chouksey
Congress releases book on last year’s killings
Congress releases book written by former MLA Paras Saklecha based on the six farmers who were killed during Mandsaur police firing in 2017. The book claims to have other details of the farmers’ unrest as well. Meanwhile, Kamal Nath and J Scindia have reached the rally ground.
Input by Shahroz Afridi, 101 Reporters
A farmer in the gathering in Mandsaur speaks about the issues concerning the community today
Input by Aashutosh Chouksey
Kamal Nath, Ashok Gehlot, Sachin Pilot and Scindia to reach in Mandsaur for Rahul Gandhi’s rally
Ahead of Rahul Gandhi’s visit, senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh reached Mandsaur on Tuesday to see management. Kamal Nath, Ashok Gehlot, Sachin Pilot and Scindia will reach on Wednesday.
Congress leaders have said that Madhya Pradesh is the most appropriate place to release Congress Kisan Vision because the farmers’ plight exists despite the state winning Krishi Karman award for past 5 years in a row.
By Shahroz Afridi, 101Reporters
Panel probing 2017 Mandsaur firing is yet to submit its report
Single-member commission headed by retired Madhya Pradesh high court judge justice JK Jain to probe into police firing that killed 6 farmers on 6 June is yet to submit its report. The term of the commission ended on 11 May.
Input by Shahroz Afridi, 101 Reporters
Rahul Gandhi to land in Mandsaur at 12.30 pm
Congress president Rahul Gandhi will take a helicopter from Mandsaur to arrive in Piplia Mandi’s Khokhara at 1 pm. He is scheduled to meet family members of the victims of the 2017 Mandsaur firing and will also address a farmers’ rally.
Punjab farmers call off strike
Farmer unions in Punjab called off strike on Wednesday in wake of increasing confrontation between protesting farmers and milk vendors in different parts of the state.
Input by Arjun Sharma, 101Reporters
Congress organises Kisan Samriddhi Sabha: 5 lakh water pouches, 2 lakh buttermilk pouches arranged for farmers
All the preparations related to Rahul’s Kisan Samriddhi Sabha, on the occasion of first year marking 6 June Mandsaur shooting, have been completed. Three stages have been made at the Khokhra ground(in Mandsaur) and the Congress have arranged for five lakh water pouches and two lakh butter milk pouches for people coming to attend the sabha.
Deepak Sharma, 101Reporters. Mandsaur
Farmers across India reach Mandsaur to pay tribute to 2017 firing victims
Farmers from different parts of India reached the Boodha village in Mandsaur on Tuesday night to pay tribute to the six farmers who were killed in the 2017 police firing. The farmers are demanding loan waiver and price of the crop as per the MSP.
Input by Deepak Sharma/101Reporters.
Rahul Gandhi to visit Mandsaur at 1 pm
The situation is peaceful in Mandsaur on Wednesday. Congress president Rahul Gandhi will visit the district at 1 pm. Wednesday marks the first anniversary of the police firing on 6 June 2017 which led to the deaths of six farmers during a protest.
Input by Deepak Sharma/101Reporters
PS Agriculture issues another order for registration for buying of moong
Input by Shahroz Afridi, 101 Reporters
Govt sets up swap machines in Bhopal
Coming under pressure, the state government sets up swap machines for swift payment to farmers. The state government has also issued an order, on 31 May (yesterday), for revised rates of onion at Rs 865 per quintal plus Rs 400 support price from government that takes the price for farmer to Rs 1265 per quintal.
Image by Izhar Hasan, 101 Reporters
About 15,000 police personnel posted at various headquarters are on 24 hours duty for 10 days
Madhya Pradesh police on ‘Operation 240’ Hours said, “About 15,000 police personnel posted at various headquarters are on 24 hours duty for 10 days. Inspector General (Intelligence) Makrand Deuskar said that though farmers have assured peaceful protest but police are taking no chances as far as law and order is concerned. Police Headquarters at Bhopal is monitoring the situation very closely. 18 districts have been identified as sensitive where extra police force has been deputed.” Input Izhar Hasan, 101 Reporters
Congress state president Kamalnath slams BJP over farmers protest
Congress state president Kamalnath attacks BJP saying that the government that killed innocent farmers last year in police firing is now blaming the Congress for farmers protest. Input by Shahroz Afridi, 101 Reporters
Bhartiya Kisan Union leader Anil Yadav calls for peaceful protest
Bhartiya Kisan Union leader Anil Yadav appeals through social media platform including Whatsapp to support farmers, emphasises on peaceful protest and farmers’ unity. Input by Shahroz Afridi, 101 Reporters
Narmada Bachao Andolan’s Medha Patkar reaches Sehore to express support to farmers, will hold rally soon
Image by Nitin Thakur, 101 Reporters
ADM GP Mali and SDM Mukul Gupta visit Bhopal mandi
ADM GP Mali and SDM Mukul Gupta visit mandi in Bhopal for surprise checking. Very low turnout of farmers have been reported at mandi compared to previous days. Image by Shahroz Afridi, 101 reporters
Congress politicising farmers’ issues: BJP leader Prabhat Jha
BJP national vice-president Prabhat Jha says that Congress is politicising farmers’ issues adding that Kakkaji is being used by the Congress and is not a genuine Congress leader. Input by Shahroz Afridi, 101 Reporters
Hardik Patel to visit Madhya Pradesh from 6 to 12 June
President of Kisan Kranti Sena, MP unit, Mahendra Patidar informed media that Gujarat’s firebrand leader Hardik Patel would remain on Madhya Pradesh tour from 6-12 June. Hardik would reach Jabalpur on June 6 from where he would visit several districts to inaugurate offices of Kisan Kranti Sena including Satna, Maihar, Indore and Ujjain. Sena’s office would be inaugurated in Mandsaur on 11 June. While Congress president Rahul Gandhi would visit Mandsaur on 6 June, Hardik Patel would be present in Jabalpur. Sources say that efforts are on to bring Rahul Gandhi and Hardik Patel on the same platform on 6 June.- Input by Shahroz Afridi/ 101 reporters
Farmers not getting value of their produce: Congress leader Rajendra Singh
Congress leader and Deputy Speaker of Madhya Pradesh state Assembly Rajendra Singh who reached Dindori said that farmers are facing extreme problems across the country. Singh said that farmers are not getting the value of their produce. Effect of farmers’ protest was witnessed even in Dindori of Madhya Pradesh. No farmer was seen at the vegetable market in the area.- Input by Deepak Tarmarkar, 101Reporters
Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Sangh explains how govt schemes only make way for corruption
Sudhir Tiwari of Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Sangh explains the problem with the Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana that was announced by Shivraj Singh Chouhan last year is a hotbed of corruption and such schemes do not solve the real problems that farmers face. – Video by Pallavi Rebbapragada
Small farmers’ organisations met SP, Mandsaur collector on 27 June
A meeting of big and small farmer organisations had a meeting with the SP and the collector of Mandsaur on the 27 May where terms for peaceful protest or ‘gram bandh’ were laid down.- Image procured by Pallavi Rebbapragada
