- Five farmers were shot dead while protesting in Mandsaur in MP
- Initial reports alleged police opened fire
- MP CM Shivraj Chouhan denied police firing, called it a Congress conspiracy
- Govt ordered judicial enquiry into the attack
- Curfew imposed in Mandsaur to continue on Wednesday
- Rahul Gandhi says “government at war with farmers”
- Rs 1 crore ex gratia announced for families of deceased
Rahul Gandhi to Visit Mandsaur
Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi may visit Madhya Pradesh’s Mandsaur on Wednesday, where at least five farmers were killed in police firing, said party sources.
Five farmers were killed and several others injured on Tuesday in Mandsaur as police opened fire on peasants, who indulged in violence and stone-pelting.
Rs 1 Crore Compensation to Families of Deceased
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced that each of the deceased farmer’s families will get Rs 1 crore and a government job will be provided to one member from their families. This comes after he had announced Rs 10 lakh for each of thee farmers’ families earlier on Tuesday.
Government will ensure free treatment to those injured in the incident. Rs 5 lakh to be given to families of injured persons. I appeal farmers to be peaceful, we stand by all of you. Some people are trying to spoil the atmosphere.
“Farmer Killings a Congress Conspiracy”
Chouhan called the killing of farmers in Mandsaur a “conspiracy fuelled by Congress,” and said that his government was “sensitive” to the needs of the farmers and stands with them.
Our government has done a lot for farmers. Congress has conspired to turn this peaceful protest into violence.
While initial reports alleged that the police opened fire at the farmers, during their on-going protest demanding waiver of loans, the Madhya Pradesh government denied the allegation and accused “anti-social elements” of being responsible for the attack.
Mandsaur Collector Swatantra Jumar also said that that there was no firing by either the police or the CRPF, and that it was caused by goondas and anti-social elements.
The government imposed curfew is likely to continue on Wednesday.
Farmers on 10-Day Strike
The police have not opened fire at the protesting farmers. We are suspecting anti-social elements’ role in the firing.Bhupendra Singh, Home Minister, Madhya Pradesh
The Madhya Pradesh farmers are on a ten-day protest demanding the government waive their loans. Higher Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) is another of their demands. The protests have caused the prices of vegetables to soar and a shortage of milk.
The MP CM called for an emergency meeting and ordered a judicial enquiry into the matter, reported CNN News 18. The government has imposed a curfew in the area.
In protest, Rashtriya Kisaan Mazdoor Sangh called for a state-wide bandh on Wednesday.
In a video shared by News 18, doctors at the government hospital can be seen trying to help the injured farmers.
Reports suggest that internet has been shut off in Mandsaur, Ratlam and Ujjain.
Congress Hits Out
Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi took to Twitter to comment on the deaths of the two farmers in Mandsaur and said that the government is “at war” with the country’s farmers.
The state spokesperson of Congress had earlier called for the resignation of CM Chouhan and the state home minister.
Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh condemned the death of the farmers due to alleged police firing and blamed the Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s government for not meeting the genuine demands of the farmers.
Talking to the press, Singh called for the people of Madhya Pradesh to participate in the “complete bandh” as a show of support to the farmers.
From last February to mid-February this year, at least 1,982 farmers and farm labourers committed suicide in MP, an average of one suicide every five hours, data from the National Crime Records Bureau show.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh to the families of those who were killed in the farmers’ protest.
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