A day before start of gram bandi – the 10-day farmers’ agitation where police and administrative officials geared up to tackle any untoward developments. District collector OP Shrivastava said, “We have told them clearly. If someone does not want to sell their produce, it is their democratic right. But we will not allow anyone to prevent others selling the produce.”
The protest turned violent last year, when large scale properties were destroyed on a large scale. Police have installed check posts at all entry points of Mandsaur to ensure that crowds don’t resort to violent means during the protest. Shrivastava and SP Manoj Kumar Singh held meetings with farmer organizations in Pipliamandi on Thursday, place which witnessed maxium violence was at peak at last year’s protest.
However, Singh said that the farmers have promised that the agitation will be held in a non-violent manner. The leaves of Police officials have been cancelled for the next 10 days as the farmers are reported to be on a strike. The farmers’ association went for gram bandi in which they decided to desist from selling their produce, including milk and vegetables in cities, in favour of a 25-point demand including fair price for their produce and action against police officials involved in police firing on June 6, 2017 that killed five farmers.
Various farmer groups in and around the district will be protesting for fair crop prices and seeking justice for six people who were killed in police firing on 6th June last year. 10,000 farmers are expected to gather in Mandsaur for a 10-day long demonstration beginning on 1 June, demanding better prices for their crops and protesting against last year’s police firing.
Image Source – The IndianExpress