Trucks carrying milk and vegetables were thrown on roads on the occasion of farmers strike in the state.

On the occasion of World Milk Day large quantities of milk were thrown by protestors on roads during the farmers strike announced by Kisan Kranti Morcha. Even trucks carrying vegetables and other commodities were vandalised by protestors. They didn’t allow the vehicles carrying commodities to reach the city. Many farmers had halted the vehicles at highways to prevent their entry into the metropolis. Several containers of milk were thrown on roads. The scenario was not different in other parts of the state as protestors had stopped vehicles at Satara, Ahmednagar and Nashik. In Sholapur too protestors forcibly stopped vehicles and threw milk containers on road.

Farmers had announced that they will organise peaceful rally but the protest turned violent. Citizens had to undergo huge hardships due to the strike as there was huge shortage of essential commodities like vegetables, milk and foodgrains. Farmers had urged the state government to offer loan waiver and provide electricity at subsidised rates. However, their meeting with Chief Minister failed to yield results as they planned to disrupt the supply of vegetables and milk till one week.

Chandan Pawar, a farmer from Nashik said, “Farmers should protest peacefully and should not spill milk on roads. Instead of throwing milk containers and vegetables on road they should offer these commodities to poor persons, widows of farmers who have committed suicide.”

On the other hand, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis held Congress-NCP responsible for the ongoing protest of farmers. “The opposition is indulging in violent activities by provoking farmers to protest. We had taken several steps to provide financial assistance to farmers. Today farmers are facing this situation due to the faulty policies of the erstwhile government. Those people who held Sangarsh yatra are responsible for organising this protest.”

Ajit Chavan a farmer said, “The wards of farmers should post their comments on social networking sites. However they should refrain from using unparliamentary language and must not hurt sentiments of other people. Farmers should also not associate with any political party and must fight for their own rights.”

“The government had mentioned about what steps it had taken for the welfare of farmers and its future plans. However, they have not provided any assurance to offer loan waiver to us. Therefore we had decided to go ahead with our protest,” said a farmer on the condition of anonymity.