Janjivan Bureau / Mandsaur : Farmers’ protest in Madhya Pradesh’s Mandsaur district became more violent today, a day after five farmers were killed in police firing. Congress called for bandh, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan blamed the opposition party for instigating the violence. Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi will visit the spot on Thursday. However, expressing concern, the Centre warned the Congress Party not to fuel violence and instigate the farmers.
“The Mandsaur violence is very unfortunate incident. I am deeply saddened by this event. We are monitoring the situation and probe will be initiated. Congress is trying to give it a political angle. I only want to tell the Congress Party doesn’t politicise the issue and fuel and instigate violence in the names of the farmers because it will boomerang on you,” Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu told media.
Meanwhile, the Congress has demanded the state government to give the honour of being a ‘martyr’ to the deceased farmers and stop blaming it for his own failure.
The farmers want chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to visit and guarantee better crop and milk prices as well as a loan waiver.
“They (farmers) might not be getting ideal price for their crops and they are protesting against that, sure, and the state government is addressing these issues, Congress is politicising it,” Venkaiah Naidu said.
“… 20% of farmers in the country are in MP… he (Chouhan) has encouraged them, has got them land and electricity. Because of this, their production has increased,” says Venkaiah Naidu.
Madhya Pradesh is among the best performing states on all counts and Chouhan is one of the BJP’s best chief ministers, says Venkaiah Naidu.
“It is a very sad turn of events in a state that is the most peaceful state in India. Congress is trying to politicise farmers’ problems after they failed to counter Shivraj Singh Chouhan politically in the state,” Naidu said.
Congress senior leader Kamal Nath demands “proper investigation” into injustice with farmers in Mandsaur. He said Laashon par boli lagayi ja rahi hai,sharm ki baat hai. 5 lakh, 10 lakh, 1 crore ki baat karne wale.
Kamal Nath says CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan must resign. “At the end, it is his responsibility, and it would be unjustified if shifted on any police officer.”
“Met Rahul ji today, we are planning to go there (Mandsaur, MP). We will go together if we do,” Sharad Yadav of JD (U)
“Can’t recall such a massacre, they are giving death figures as 5,6 but I believe there are more,” says Sharad Yadav.
Meanwhile, Inspector general of police in Ujjain V Madhukumar told , “In response to the message that Rahul Gandhi wants to land at Neemuch, we have communicated that the airstrip is not operational.”
Chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan was so pained by the death of five farmers that he didn’t eat on Tuesday evening, says BJP. “We almost forced him to eat at least one chapati. We should do justice to this son of farmer also”, said BJP vice-president Prabhat Jha.