In an effort to restore peace amid raging farmers' protest, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan began his indefinite fast at the Dussehra Maidan in Bhopal on Saturday. He has also invited agitating farmers for talks.
“We are all the sons of the soil, non-violence is what we Indians follow, then why are we resorting to violence, which is affecting our own,” Chouhan tweeted.
“From 11am on Saturday, I’ll sit at Dussehra Maidan, people may come & discuss things with me. I will fast to bring about peace,” Chouhan had tweeted on Friday.
The killing of six farmers in police firing in the state’s Mandsaur district has fuelled protests, which were going on in dupport of higher minimum support prices (MSP) and loan waiver.
On Friday, the agitation had reached the doorsteps of the state capital Bhopal, with incidents of arson and stone-pelting in Fanda area.
Farmers in western Madhya Pradesh are protesting since June 1, seeking loan waiver and higher prices for the farm produce among other things.
On June 6, five protesters were killed in police firing in Mandsaur district, the epicentre of the agitation.
A 26-year-old farmer died in Badavan village of Mandsaur, with locals alleging that he was beaten up by policemen.
(With inputs from agencies)