Curfew clamped in Mandsaur as 6 farmers die during protest

Mandsaur: Curfew was today clamped in Piplia Mandi and Mandsaur towns following the death of six peasants in a violent clash between police and agitators. Collector Swatantra Kumar Singh confirmed the development. Protestors had been staging demonstration and indulging in vandalism since last night. In order to control the situation, police resorted to firing at around 1100 hrs. The deceased were identified as Prabhulal Patidar, Kanaiyalal Patidar and Bablu Patidar.

Four injured were admitted to the District Hospital from where they were being sent to Indore. Internet and social media services were suspended in Mandsaur and neighbouring Neemuch districts to prevent rumours. According to a report from the state capital, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan directed a judicial probe into the incident.

He issued directives to exercise alertness in Mandsaur and other nearby districts. Home Minister Bhoopendra Singh Thakur, while talking to media, claimed that police firing did not cause the deaths. On who perpetrated the firing, he said that investigation would clear the situation.

Meanwhile, senior police officials are tightlipped over the incident. A programme organised by the Bharatiya Janata Party to felicitate the Chief Minister at his residence tomorrow for taking steps in the welfare of peasants has been postponed. Since June 1, agriculturists in western Madhya Pradesh have been holding protest seeking higher prices for their produce and loan waiver.

The agitation, which was proposed to continue till June 10, turned violent at several places including Ratlam, Indore, Ujjain, Dewas, Sehore, Neemuch and Mandsaur. Several tonnes of milk and vegetables were dumped on the road by ryots. The Chief Minister held discussion with the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh’s representatives in Ujjain on Sunday. As the regime conceded a few demands, the Sangh announced to call off the stir. Nonetheless, other farmers’ bodies refused to withdraw agitation and continued protests in Mandsaur, Neemuch and other places. (UNI)