In Mandsaur, Congress president Rahul Gandhi lashed out at the Narendra Modi government over 2017 firing in Madhya Pradesh and said that the BJP does not care about the farmers.

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On the first anniversary of death of seven farmers due to beating and firing by police in Mandsaur district of Madhya Pradesh on 6 June last year, the farmers are going to launch "Gaon Bandh" (village blockade) agitation from Friday, said a farmer representative on Thursday.

Farmer groups to observe 10- day 'gaon bandh' from Friday on first anniversary of Mandsaur violence

The main demands of farmers include waiving entire loan of farmers, pension to farmers after 55 years and Minimum Support Price (MSP) on 65 litres of milk, fruits and vegetables.

The farmers who have called for the ten-day long protest will observe 'Gaon Bandh' from 1 June to 10 June, 5 June as Dhikkar Divas, 6 June as Saheed Sahadat Divas, 8 June as Asahyog Divas and 10 June as Bharat Bandh.

The state government has deployed 89 companies of Special Armed Force (SAF) and more than 20,000 jawans to deal with any untoward situation. IG Intelligence Makrand Deuskar said that the state government has made all arrangements. He suspected that situation might turn violent in later stages of farmers’ protest according to intelligence inputs.

Farmers protest in Madhya Pradesh began with the state government claiming to have made ‘appropriate security arrangements.’ Five farmers were killed in police firing last year on the same day in Mandsaur.

Kisan Sangh leader Shiv kumar Kakka will address the media tomorrow (Saturday) at 11am in Bhopal

Residents complain of paying more for some products including fruits, vegetables and milk that could not reach from villages in abundance

Five companies of police have been deployed. That apart, 200 CCTV cameras have also been installed besides 20 drones which have been keeping a watch.

Vegetables from Khandwa Sabzi Mandi in Maharashtra did not reach MP today. About 30 percent of the market affected due to it.

During the press conference today in Bhopal, Shiv Kumar Sharma, president of the Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Mahasangh said: "The Shivraj Singh Chouhan-led Madhya Pradesh government has been trying to turn this protest violent." Sharma further added that a large section of BJP leaders also supported the movement.

If you want fruits, vegetables and milk, then come to us, and also listen to our woes, which remain unaddressed by those in power, even one year after five agitating farmers were killed in firing in Mandsaur district. This is the guiding mantra of the farmers’ agitation starting from 1 June which will cover all 51 districts of Madhya Pradesh, a state which witnessed violence on 6 June.

Farmers need to be heard: Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Sangh official spokesperson Sunil Gaur

"More than 130 farmers' organisations are with us. This has now become a nationwide agitation. We have named the protest 'Gaon Bandh'. We won't go to cities, as we don't want to heckle the normal lives of the people. We have decided to observe a Bharat Bandh on 10 June till 2 pm. Would like to request all the businessmen of cities to close their shops till 2 pm and pay tribute to farmers who have lost their lives in previous years, says Shiv Kumar Sharma, president, Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Mahasangh.

We won't go to cities because it hampers normal life: Shiv Kumar Sharma

Owing to farmer protests, cost of vegetables has risen by 50 percent in Punjab. Protests are going in Barnala and other parts of the state. In Barnala, farmers said they will park 500 tractors before the Deputy Commissioner to protest against rising diesel prices as well.

District administration is on alert in Sehore, Madhya Pradesh. Police is on extra vigil at 35 places identified to as "sensitive". Narmada Bachao activist Medha Patkar and representatives of the Kisan Sabha will address farmers in Sehore at 5 pm.

Sehore in Madhya Pradesh on high alert; Medha Patkar to address farmers at 5 pm

Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu is set to visit Patto village, near Chunni in Fatehgarh Sahib district today at 1.15 pm in support of demands of the farmers and purchase milk and vegetables from them.

Farmers in Badnagar in Ujjain district crawled on dusty roads among while chanting slogans such as 'Jaan denge, zameen nahi denge' (We'll give up our lives, not our land), 'Modi government is afraid of us' etc.

Milk farmers in Billod of Mandsaur district have joined the kisaan andolan because they get Rs 20-Rs 30 a litre and have been appealing to the govt that the minimum rate of milk of 26 clr should be Rs 40.- Image courtesy: Pallavi Rebbapragada

Moolchand Patidar says that he will support the farmers' protest for ten days. For now, he will distribute his stock of milk among neighbours. (Inputs by Nemichand, 101 Reporters)

Milkman Moolchand of Mandsaur says he will support the protest for 10 days

A farmer from Jaipur in Rajasthan has offered his veggies to a cow. -Input by Ram Gopal Jat, 101Reporters

The memorial was built in honour of Poonamchand who was killed last year in Mandsaur protest -Input by 101Reporters

We won't sell veggies at less than Rs 40, we will continue protest until govt agrees to our demand: Mandsaur farmers

SSP Jagdeesh Kajla says two youths have been arrested in connection with violence in Fatehabad. - Input by Sahil Rukhaya, 101Reporters

Two youths have been arrested in connection with the violence in Fatehabad

A meeting of big and small farmer organisations had a meeting with the SP and the collector of Mandsaur on the 27 May where terms for peaceful protest or 'gram bandh' were laid down.- Image procured by Pallavi Rebbapragada

Sudhir Tiwari of Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Sangh explains the problem with the Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana that was announced by Shivraj Singh Chouhan last year is a hotbed of corruption and such schemes do not solve the real problems that farmers face. - Video by Pallavi Rebbapragada

Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Sangh explains how govt schemes only make way for corruption

Congress leader and Deputy Speaker of Madhya Pradesh state Assembly Rajendra Singh who reached Dindori said that farmers are facing extreme problems across the country. Singh said that farmers are not getting the value of their produce. Effect of farmers’ protest was witnessed even in Dindori of Madhya Pradesh. No farmer was seen at the vegetable market in the area.- Input by Deepak Tarmarkar, 101Reporters

Farmers not getting value of their produce: Congress leader Rajendra Singh

President of Kisan Kranti Sena, MP unit, Mahendra Patidar informed media that Gujarat’s firebrand leader Hardik Patel would remain on Madhya Pradesh tour from 6-12 June. Hardik would reach Jabalpur on June 6 from where he would visit several districts to inaugurate offices of Kisan Kranti Sena including Satna, Maihar, Indore and Ujjain. Sena’s office would be inaugurated in Mandsaur on 11 June. While Congress president Rahul Gandhi would visit Mandsaur on 6 June, Hardik Patel would be present in Jabalpur. Sources say that efforts are on to bring Rahul Gandhi and Hardik Patel on the same platform on 6 June.- Input by Shahroz Afridi/ 101 reporters

BJP national vice-president Prabhat Jha says that Congress is politicising farmers' issues adding that Kakkaji is being used by the Congress and is not a genuine Congress leader. Input by Shahroz Afridi, 101 Reporters

ADM GP Mali and SDM Mukul Gupta visit mandi in Bhopal for surprise checking. Very low turnout of farmers have been reported at mandi compared to previous days. Image by Shahroz Afridi, 101 reporters

Narmada Bachao Andolan's Medha Patkar reaches Sehore to express support to farmers, will hold rally soon

Bhartiya Kisan Union leader Anil Yadav appeals through social media platform including Whatsapp to support farmers, emphasises on peaceful protest and farmers’ unity. Input by Shahroz Afridi, 101 Reporters

Congress state president Kamalnath attacks BJP saying that the government that killed innocent farmers last year in police firing is now blaming the Congress for farmers protest. Input by Shahroz Afridi, 101 Reporters

Madhya Pradesh police on ‘Operation 240’ Hours said, "About 15,000 police personnel posted at various headquarters are on 24 hours duty for 10 days. Inspector General (Intelligence) Makrand Deuskar said that though farmers have assured peaceful protest but police are taking no chances as far as law and order is concerned. Police Headquarters at Bhopal is monitoring the situation very closely. 18 districts have been identified as sensitive where extra police force has been deputed." Input Izhar Hasan, 101 Reporters

About 15,000 police personnel posted at various headquarters are on 24 hours duty for 10 days

Coming under pressure, the state government sets up swap machines for swift payment to farmers. The state government has also issued an order, on 31 May (yesterday), for revised rates of onion at Rs 865 per quintal plus Rs 400 support price from government that takes the price for farmer to Rs 1265 per quintal.

PS Agriculture issues another order for registration for buying of moong

The situation is peaceful in Mandsaur on Wednesday. Congress president Rahul Gandhi will visit the district at 1 pm. Wednesday marks the first anniversary of the police firing on 6 June 2017 which led to the deaths of six farmers during a protest.

Farmers from different parts of India reached the Boodha village in Mandsaur on Tuesday night to pay tribute to the six farmers who were killed in the 2017 police firing. The farmers are demanding loan waiver and price of the crop as per the MSP.

All the preparations related to Rahul's Kisan Samriddhi Sabha, on the occasion of first year marking 6 June Mandsaur shooting, have been completed. Three stages have been made at the Khokhra ground(in Mandsaur) and the Congress have arranged for five lakh water pouches and two lakh butter milk pouches for people coming to attend the sabha.

Farmer unions in Punjab called off strike on Wednesday in wake of increasing confrontation between protesting farmers and milk vendors in different parts of the state.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi will take a helicopter from Mandsaur to arrive in Piplia Mandi's Khokhara at 1 pm. He is scheduled to meet family members of the victims of the 2017 Mandsaur firing and will also address a farmers' rally.

Single-member commission headed by retired Madhya Pradesh high court judge justice JK Jain to probe into police firing that killed 6 farmers on 6 June is yet to submit its report. The term of the commission ended on 11 May.

Panel probing 2017 Mandsaur firing is yet to submit its report

Congress leaders have said that Madhya Pradesh is the most appropriate place to release Congress Kisan Vision because the farmers' plight exists despite the state winning Krishi Karman award for past 5 years in a row.

Ahead of Rahul Gandhi's visit, senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh reached Mandsaur on Tuesday to see management. Kamal Nath, Ashok Gehlot, Sachin Pilot and Scindia will reach on Wednesday.

Kamal Nath, Ashok Gehlot, Sachin Pilot and Scindia to reach in Mandsaur for Rahul Gandhi's rally

Congress releases book written by former MLA Paras Saklecha based on the six farmers who were killed during Mandsaur police firing in 2017. The book claims to have other details of the farmers' unrest as well. Meanwhile, Kamal Nath and J Scindia have reached the rally ground. Input by Shahroz Afridi, 101 Reporters

Quoting Mahatma Gandhi's satyagraha andolan, Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia said, "Madhya Pradesh is deteriorating under Shivraj Singh Chouhan's rule. (Six farmers who died in 2017).. are martyrs not farmers."

Scindia also criticised Shivraj's 'Bhavantar' scheme. "Prices of all produce have dropped due this scheme. His scheme forced the farmers to throw away tomatoes, onion and garlic on roads. 'Ghosnaveer Shivraj' did nothing for farmers in state," he said.

Criticizing the BJP government in Madhya Pradesh, Jyotiraditya Scindia said that the government of state forces the farmers to file bonds to maintain the law and order. "Modi does notebandi (demonetisation), Shivraj Singh Chouhan did kisan bandi," Scindia said.

3) Take back cases against 7000 farmers that was lodged last year on innocent farmers.

Making a scathing attack on Modi government over petrol and diesel prices, Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia said that the price of fuel are rising with speed of bullet train.

Scindia hits out at Modi govt over high fuel prices, makes five demands

"During Congress regime farmers demanded increase in MSP, but in BJP rule they are fighting to get minimum rates of their produce leave along demand of hike in MSP. Rs 200 crores are spent every month by Shivraj on publicity getting his photos published in newspapers. Why doesn't he spend this money for job employment for youth," he PCC Chief Kamal Nath asked.

He said that if Congress is elected to power, "If Congress is elected to power in Madhya Pradesh, we will waive farmer loans in 10 day of forming government," he said.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP chief ministers who make statements about helping farmers. "When the farmer makes demands, the Madhya Pradesh chief minister says he doesn't have time for them," he said.

Rahul Gandhi address rally, says BJP government does not care about farmers

​In Mandsaur, Rahul Gandhi demanded action against people who fired upon the innocent farmers. "The governments are of no use if they one cannot provide security to farmers and their families. A total of 1,200 farmers committed suicide in Madhya Pradesh. Did any rich person or their family member commit suicide who have lakhs of crores as debt."

'No point of our governments if we can't protect our farmers'

He hit out at the government over the issue of unemployment. "Modi promised of providing 2 crore jobs to the youth, promised Rs 15 lakh to each. Did any in the crowd got job or the money. 'Made in China' products are dominant everywhere," he said.

"Narendra Modi addresses Mehul Choksi as Mehul bhai, Nirav Modi as Nirav bhai. Modi gave them Rs 30,000 crore, which could have used to waive off loans of farmers of Madhya Pradesh," Rahul Gandhi said in his address.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not raising Doka La issue during his visit to China. "Modi rides swings with the Chinese president and then China sends its troops in Doka La. Yet Modi remained silent on issue," he said.

"We want to change lives of farmers. If voted to power, Congress would install food processing units in all districts of Madhya Pradesh. You (farmers) will get the benefit directly. A food supply chain would be developed in Madhya Pradesh," Congress president Rahul Gandhi said in Mandsaur.

Rahul promises to bring reform to allow direct payment in mandis to farmers

Making his poll pitch in Madhya Pradesh, Rahul said, "Modi ji's education is different, that is from RSS of hatred and anger but our education is different and is of love."

Asserting that the Congress would waive farm loans within 10 days of coming to power in Madhya Pradesh, Rahul Gandhi mentioned how Karnataka and Punjab government have already waived the farmer loans. "I met Narendra Modi ji and demanded justice for farmers. He waived off Rs 2.5 lakh loan of 15 people. He should also waive loans of farmers," Rahul said.

'RSS trained Modi, but we are different'

Scindia also criticised Shivraj's 'Bhavantar' scheme. "Prices of all produce have dropped due this scheme. His scheme forced the farmers to throw away tomatoes, onion and garlic on roads. 'Ghosnaveer Shivraj' did nothing for farmers in state," he said.

Criticizing the BJP government in Madhya Pradesh, Jyotiraditya Scindia said that the government of state forces the farmers to file bonds to maintain the law and order. "Modi does notebandi (demonetisation), Shivraj Singh Chouhan did kisan bandi," Scindia said.

3) Take back cases against 7000 farmers that was lodged last year on innocent farmers.

Making a scathing attack on Modi government over petrol and diesel prices, Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia said that the price of fuel are rising with speed of bullet train.

Scindia hits out at Modi govt over high fuel prices, makes five demands

"During Congress regime farmers demanded increase in MSP, but in BJP rule they are fighting to get minimum rates of their produce leave along demand of hike in MSP. Rs 200 crores are spent every month by Shivraj on publicity getting his photos published in newspapers. Why doesn't he spend this money for job employment for youth," he PCC Chief Kamal Nath asked.

He said that if Congress is elected to power, "If Congress is elected to power in Madhya Pradesh, we will waive farmer loans in 10 day of forming government," he said.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP chief ministers who make statements about helping farmers. "When the farmer makes demands, the Madhya Pradesh chief minister says he doesn't have time for them," he said.

Rahul Gandhi address rally, says BJP government does not care about farmers

​In Mandsaur, Rahul Gandhi demanded action against people who fired upon the innocent farmers. "The governments are of no use if they one cannot provide security to farmers and their families. A total of 1,200 farmers committed suicide in Madhya Pradesh. Did any rich person or their family member commit suicide who have lakhs of crores as debt."

'No point of our governments if we can't protect our farmers'

He hit out at the government over the issue of unemployment. "Modi promised of providing 2 crore jobs to the youth, promised Rs 15 lakh to each. Did any in the crowd got job or the money. 'Made in China' products are dominant everywhere," he said.

"Narendra Modi addresses Mehul Choksi as Mehul bhai, Nirav Modi as Nirav bhai. Modi gave them Rs 30,000 crore, which could have used to waive off loans of farmers of Madhya Pradesh," Rahul Gandhi said in his address.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not raising Doka La issue during his visit to China. "Modi rides swings with the Chinese president and then China sends its troops in Doka La. Yet Modi remained silent on issue," he said.

"We want to change lives of farmers. If voted to power, Congress would install food processing units in all districts of Madhya Pradesh. You (farmers) will get the benefit directly. A food supply chain would be developed in Madhya Pradesh," Congress president Rahul Gandhi said in Mandsaur.

Rahul promises to bring reform to allow direct payment in mandis to farmers

Making his poll pitch in Madhya Pradesh, Rahul said, "Modi ji's education is different, that is from RSS of hatred and anger but our education is different and is of love."

Asserting that the Congress would waive farm loans within 10 days of coming to power in Madhya Pradesh, Rahul Gandhi mentioned how Karnataka and Punjab government have already waived the farmer loans. "I met Narendra Modi ji and demanded justice for farmers. He waived off Rs 2.5 lakh loan of 15 people. He should also waive loans of farmers," Rahul said.

'RSS trained Modi, but we are different'

Before addressing a farmers rally in Mandsaur, Congress president Rahul Gandhi met the family members of the six farmers who were killed in the 2017 police firing in Mandsaur. In a tweet, he said that an FIR is yet to be filed in the matter and the families are still awaiting justice.

Rahul Gandhi meets family members of 2017 firing victims, says they are still waiting for justice

Mandsaur anniversary LIVE updates: In Mandsaur, Congress president Rahul Gandhi lashed out at the Narendra Modi government over 2017 firing in Madhya Pradesh and said that the BJP does not care about the farmers. "If Congress is elected to power in Madhya Pradesh, we will waive farmer loans in 10 day of forming government," he said.

Talking to reporters, former Madhya Pradesh chief minister and senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh said that Shivraj Singh Chouhan government is not sensitive towards farmers.

According to a party statement, Rahul will address the Kisan Samriddhi Sankalp Rally at Khokhra (Piplia Mandi) in Mandsaur at 1 pm.

Rahul threw his weight behind the farmers' protest in several states between June 1 and June 10, to observe the anniversary of Mandsaur firing.

"Every day, about 35 farmers commit suicide in our country. To attract government's attention towards the agrarian crisis, farmers are forced to protest for 10 days. To stand with them in the fight for the rights of our annadata (food provider), I will address a farmer's rally in Mandsaur on 6 June," Rahul had tweeted last Saturday.

Farmers in several states, including Madhya Pradesh, are on a 10-day strike since 1 June, demanding remunerative prices for their produce and loan waiver. They have been dumping their produce on roads as a mark of protest.

The farmers of Punjab will call off their stir on Wednesday, even as the protest would continue in other states.

The decision was taken in a meeting of leaders of different farmers' organisations in Ludhiana on Monday. The meeting, presided by Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU-Rajewal) president Balbir Singh Rajewal, was attended by BKU (Lakhowal), BKU (Sidhpur), Indian Farmers Association, BKU (Kadian) and Punjab Dairy Federation Association.

The farmers had begun their agitation from June 1, as part of a nationwide stir, and had stopped supply of vegetables, fruits, milk and other items to various cities protesting the alleged anti-farmer policies of the Centre.

Rajewal said the farmers in Punjab would start supplying vegetables and milk to the cities on Wednesday after paying tributes to six farmers killed in police firing.

A group of farmers on Tuesday dumped milk and vegetables on road in Madhya Pradesh's Raisen district as their nationwide agitation entered the fifth day.

The incident took place in Salamatpur, about 30 kilometres from the Raisen district headquarters. They also blocked the Bhopal-Vidisha road, disrupting traffic for at least three hours on the busy stretch.

Kisan Jagriti Sangathan secretary Irfan Jafari said their protest would continue unhindered till 10 June.

A group of farmers protested in a novel way in Bhopal. They distributed milk to the patients of the JP Hospital.