Bhopal: The 10-day 'Gaon Bandh (farmers' strike)' for remunerative prices of produce commenced peacefully in Madhya Pradesh today, with police and administrative authorities exercising caution and all geared up to deal with any untoward situation.
Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is constantly monitoring the situation.
Meanwhile, Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Sangh (RKMS) President Shivkumar Sharma said that protesting farmers would not engage in any dialogue with the regime.
No farmer would bring vegetables, fruits, milk and other commodities to towns for the next 10 days as a part of the agitation. Nonetheless, supply of commodities is continuing as usual in the midst of police security and has not been affected in a major way at most places including in Mandsaur and districts in Indore division.
In Neemuch, some farmers assembled at the Nayagaon-Mandsaur Road, prevented certain people going to the town for selling vegetables and threw them on the road. However, authorities controlled the situation and thwarted any untoward incident. Supply of commodities was affected in Ratlam.
In addition to appropriate prices for their produce, other main demands of farmers include loan waiver of debt-ridden farmers, ensuring a minimum income for small peasants and one-and-half time price above cost for vegetables, fruits and milk.
A control room has been set up in the Police Headquarters. District police have been asked to remain on the qui vive. Intelligence and local police personnel are keeping an eye on political leaders.
While Mandsaur, Neemuch and Ratlam are on high-alert, Jabalpur, Narsinghpur, Balaghat, Chhindwara, Sheopur, and Morena are also being considered sensitive.Violent clashes took place during farmers' agitation in June last year. Six people lost lives during police firing in Mandsaur on June 6, 2017. Thus, authorities are exercising caution. Additional police force have been deployed in Mandsaur and other districts.(UNI)