Mandsaur continues to be on the boil, protests spread.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday asked Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to take “strict action” against those “spreading unrest” in Mandsaur in Madhya Pradesh, even as the State government insisted that the five persons killed on Tuesday during the farmers’ agitation did not die in police firing.

Mr. Chouhan blamed the Congress for “politicising the protests and instigating violence.”

“I spoke to the Chief Minister and have assured him all help. Some central forces have already been sent to the trouble-hit areas,” Mr. Singh told The Hindu.

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The Home Ministry has also sought a report from the State government, and has asked it to check the use of social media.

Meanwhile, continuing on the warpath, farmers resorted to violence and arson in western Madhya Pradesh, despite prohibitory measures. Mandsaur district, the epicentre of the agitation, remained on the boil and the violent protests spread to other districts like Dewas, Neemuch, Ujjain, Dhar and Khargone.

‘Violence in M.P. premeditated’

The Madhya Pradesh government has informed the Centre that Tuesday’s violence during the farmers’ protests was “pre-planned” and it was yet to ascertain the cause of the deaths.

Mr. Singh is learnt to have told Mr. Chouhan that the violence need to be contained at any cost and the State administration should take harsh steps if required. The Chief Minister was also told that the violence should not spread to other parts of the State as neighbouring Maharashtra also saw unprecedented protests by farmers.

A senior Home Ministry official said that six companies of central forces, around 600 men, have been rushed to the violence-hit area and an additional 500 personnel of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) were being sent.

Vehicles torched in a farmers protest at Mandsaur in Madhya Pradesh | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

“We have sought a report from the M.P government regarding the deaths of five persons in Mandsaur on Tuesday. The State government is being extended all the assistance,” said Ashok Prasad, spokesperson, Home Ministry.

Farmers in M.P are protesting since June 1 and have been demanding higher minimum support price (MSP) for their produce.

Meanwhile the Chouhan government sought to cool tempers by announcing certain measures, including a loan settlement scheme for those cultivators who had defaulted on repayment of farm loans borrowed by them earlier. The scheme will cover around six lakh farmers, with accumulated dues of ₹6000 crore. The government also announced the setting up of a panel to ensure that farmers get market price for their produce.