Mandsaur violence: Madhya Pradesh IG accepts police fired at farmers during protest

Bhopal: A day after Madhya Pradesh Home Minister denied reports of firing by local police on agitating farmers in Mandsaur, the IG (Law and Order) Makrand Devaskar admitted that police resorted to firing to gain control of the rioting mob during the protest at the Madhya Pradesh. 

IG (Law and Order) while interacting with media said, "After a preliminary investigation, it is now clear that the police opened fire at the protesting mob. However, it still remains unclear that under what situation police opened fire at the people. The investigation is still underway and therefore, I am unable to reveal much on the matter."

Yesterday, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Chouhan had accused the Congress for inciting violence among farmers whereas Home Minister Bhupendra Singh denied that the police had fired at the farmers, which resulted in at least five deaths.

However, organizers of yesterday's protests claimed that the police opened fire after farmers turned violent, throwing rocks at the police and setting vehicles on fire.

Thousands of farmers in the drought-ravaged region are demanding that authorities increase the minimum price for their crops and forgive bank loans. Madhya Pradesh is one of several states that have suffered disappointing rains and crop failures in recent years.

More than 1,600 farmers killed themselves in the state in 2016, according to an official figure.

Farmers in neighbouring Maharashtra state have held similar protests and have stopped supplies to urban areas, leading to a spike in the prices of vegetables and dairy products including in major cities like Delhi and Mumbai.

The protests pose a challenge to the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which has promised to double farm income in the next two years. 

Tension prevailed in Mandsaur town again today, where all business establishments and offices remained closed. Police detained the former Mandsaur MP Meenakshi Natrajan who was not allowed to enter the district to meet families of the slain farmers.

Mandsaur collector S K Singh was heckled when he tried to persuade protesters to lift road blockade in Berheda Pant area.

Shops were torched in Suasara town in the district.

Inspector Shyambabu Sharma of Suasara police station received head injuries when the police were trying to bring under control a mob which was throwing stones at Guratiya Pratap square.
A warehouse was set ablaze in Badi Choupati area and Mhow-Neemuch highway was blocked for hours in Mandsaur.

In Dewas district, protesters threw stones and set on fire four passenger buses running between Indore-Bhopal and eight other vehicles in Newari Fata area. Passengers in the buses got down and were safe, but Indore-Bhopal bus services were suspended.

A mob also torched vehicles parked outside the Hat Pipaliya police station in Dewas district.

Protesting Congress workers stopped a train in Dewas.

Shops and offices in Neemuch district adjoining Mandsaur also remained shut. Protesters set on fire a police outpost in Harkiya Khal Phanta area.

In Ujjain district, around 10 policemen, including Mahal Kal police station's inspector Ajeet Tiwari, were injured in stone-pelting.

Protesters threw vegetables and fruits on road in Sanwer and Simrol areas of Indore and emptied milk containers.

In Khargone district, Bharatiya Kisan Sangh workers led by Gopal Patidar burnt an effigy of state home minister Bhupendra Singh in protest of alleged police firing in Mandsaur.
In Sehore district, car of additional collector of Barwani district Jayendra Kumar was pelted with stones. Protesters blocked the Indore-Bhopal highway at Ashta.

Violence was also reported from Dhar, while other areas of the state remained peaceful.

The Centre rushed 1,100 anti-riots police personnel to Mandsaur district where five persons were killed yesterday allegedly in police firing.

Though the Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced a compensation of Rs 1 crore each for the families of five farmers, it didn't seem to have mollified the protesters who are demanding better prices for their produce and a complete farm loan waiver.

The BJP government also announced a loan-settlement scheme which it said will cover around six lakh farmers with accumulated dues of Rs 6,000 crore.

The government is contemplating a formula wherein it may waive interest on crop loans. Also, an Agricultural Costs and Marketing Commission to ensure better prices for farm produce would be set up, minister Archana Chitnis said after attending a meeting chaired by chief minister Chouhan.

The bandh called by the main Opposition Congress received a mixed response.

Curfew remained in force at Pipaliya Mandi area -- where five farmers were killed and six others were injured yesterday -- and in Mandsaur town. Prohibitory orders under section 144 of CrPC are still on in place in rest of the district, Inspector General of Police V Madhukumar said.

The six injured persons were out of danger while the slain farmers were cremated, Madhukumar told PTI.

(With Agency inputs)