Congress to reopen Mandsaur farmers' protest case

Newly-inducted Madhya Pradesh cabinet Minister Jitu Patwari on Tuesday said that the party will reopen the Mandsaur farmers' protest case of 2017, which claimed the lives of as many as six farmers.

The Congress leader said, "We said before forming the government that people who fired at farmers shouldn't be spared. People were killed but there's no culprit, how is that possible? The investigation will be reopened."

Last year, Mandsaur witnessed a massive protest as farmers demanded loan waivers and better prices for their produce. The agitation led to the loss of lives of several farmers, drawing criticism from political parties.

The situation forced the district officials to impose Section 144, and restrict prominent personalities from visiting the violence-hit district.

However, former Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had earlier blamed Congress for the violence.