In the wake of the farmers' protest that has rocked Madhya Pradesh, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan sat down on an indefinite fast on 10 June. The CM met with farmers' representatives at Dussehra Maidan to discuss their issues, even as the death toll in the farmers' agitation climbed to six. In Mandsaur, curfew was relaxed on 9 June for eight hours, but the violence shifted to Bhopal. Follow The Quint for all the live updates on the protest.
- Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh's ends his ‘peace' fast
- Congress, on Saturday, demanded Chouhan's resignation over deaths of farmers in Mandsaur
- Another farmer succumbed to injuries, taking death toll of farmers killed in police firing in Mandsaur to six
- 27 people were arrested for alleged stone-pelting near Bhopal
- Tension escalated in Mandsaur on 6 June after five farmers were killed in police firing
Shivraj Chouhan Ends His 'Peace' Fast
New Initiative to Provide Farmers With Info: CM
Speaking at the Dussehra Maidan, Chouhan on Sunday said the government will introduce a new initiative called ‘State Land Use Advisory Service' for farmers to receive correct and timely information.
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CM's Fast Enters Day 2
Shivraj Singh Chouhan continues with his fast for a second day at Dussehra Maidan in Bhopal on Sunday.
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While speaking to ANI, Chouhan said that he slept “intermittently” and was constantly pondering over farmers' issues.
I slept intermittently and all that while I kept thinking about what all topics - out of the ones we discussed with the farmers - can be worked upon as soon as possible... The farmers and their issues were in my thoughts and dreams.
On Saturday, he met with the kin of four farmers who were killed in the Mandsaur police firing. The families urged the Chief Minister to end his fast. He also interacted with farmer representatives.
We requested the Chief Minister to call off his hunger strike. We don't think that he is doing any drama. He is genuinely concerned about us. We also asked for stern action against the culprits.Family of one of the victims to ANI
Farmers' Hopeful For 'Pro-Farmer' Decision
Farmers thronged Dussehra Maidan on Saturday to meet Chouhan and expressed hope for a ‘pro-farmer' decision.
We are thankful to the Chief Minister that he is doing this for us. This violent protest will turn into peace talk with his effort. We are hopeful that we will get justice. We haven't seen any Chief Minister keeping a fast for poor farmers. This will surely benefit farmers as well as the Chief Minister.A farmer speaks to ANI
Mandsaur Peaceful, Curfew Relaxed for 12 Hours
Mandsaur, the epicentre of the farmers' agitation in Madhya Pradesh, remained peaceful with authorities relaxing curfew for 12 hours from 8 am to 8 pm.
As the situation eased, markets reopened and locals stepped out to stock essentials such as vegetables and milk.
District Collector OP Srivastava said normalcy was returning and there was no report of any untoward incident.
Congress Workers Protest in Bhopal
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's indefinite fast at Dussehra Maidan is just “drama,” Congress leaders said, as some party workers took to the streets to protest.
Chouhan Sits On A Fast 'For Restoration of Peace'
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan sat down on an indefinite fast at Dussehra Maidan in Bhopal for "restoration of peace".
The state has seen violent protests since 1 June, after farmers' organisations took to the streets to demand loan waivers and increased minimum support prices.
Clad in kurta-pajama and a Nehru jacket, Chouhan sat on fast at a pandal erected at Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited's Dussehra Maiden at around 11 am after former chief minister Kailash Joshi put a 'tilak' on his forehead.
Chouhan's wife Sadhana was by his side.
Congress Demands Chouhan's Resignation
The Congress on Friday demanded the resignation of Chouhan and his home minister over the deaths of six farmers in Mandsaur in police firing.
Congress spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi dubbed the BJP governments at the Centre and state as "Band, Baaja, Bullet" regimes that responded to protesting farmers with bullets instead of providing them remunerative prices for their produce.
Accusing BJP's state and central governments of being "insensitive" towards farmers and their plight, Chaturvedi said this is the reason why farmers were agitating in states like Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
Also Read: Why a Bountiful Harvest Drove Farmers to Despair and Anger
She was quoted as saying:
The policy of the BJP governments at the Centre and in states is clear that if the farmers demand remunerative prices for their produce then they will get bullets in return. If you demand the price of your labour, you are labelled as criminals.
Also Read: Another Farmer Commits Suicide in Maharashtra, Death Toll Up To 5
Chouhan Announces Fast, Invites Agitating Farmers for Talks
Chouhan said, on 9 June, that the farmers' agitation has turned "anarchic", and announced that he will sit on an indefinite fast for restoration of peace.
"I will sit on indefinite fast from Saturday 11 am at Dussehra Maidan for restoration of peace," a visibly upset Chouhan said at a hurriedly convened press conference at his official residence.
“I will be available at the Dussehra Maidan. I welcome all farmers to come there for resolving the impasse peacefully through an amicable dialogue with me. I won't sit in my office at Mantralaya (secretariat)...(but will sit at) Dussehra Maiden and do all work from there,” he added.
However, he categorically said that all unruly elements would be dealt with strictly.
"I am deeply saddened that stones are being placed in the hands of young people aged 18, 21 and 22 by some persons during attempts to stage road blockades. It is painful that these young people are our own and the elements leading them are also our own," he said.
Also Read: In MP's Shujalpur Mandi, Scars of Notebandi & Farmers' Agitation
(With inputs from news agencies)
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