Mandsaur violence: SP assures continuous patrolling is on

After the government decided to deploy five more battalions in Mandsaur, where five people were killed in firing to curb violence, Superintendent of Police (SP) O.P. Tripathi on Thursday stated that continuous patrolling was on and violence was curbed.

"We have managed the situation well; currently, the violence has been curbed. My team and I are trying our best to control the situation. Also, extra forces would be deployed in violence-hit Ujjain, Dewas, Mandsaur, Neemuch and Sehore areas. We were initially roughed up when we reached Barkheda Pant as we had gone there to talks and silently wanted to solve the matter. We are continuously patrolling and hoping that the situation does not worsen more," Tripathi told the reporters here.

A police station in Neemuch yesterday had been vandalised, while protestors also attacked a private bank trying to burn down an ATM in Mandsaur's Kayampur.

Famers and police clashed in Haatpiplya, Dewas as the protestors pelted stones and torched vehicles.

Demanding the presence of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, protesting farmers on Wednesday got into a scuffle with the Collector and Superintendent of Police of Mandsaur district over them delaying their visit to the area.

Mandsaur Collector Swantra Singh told ANI that there was no order to open fire on the farmers.

"There was no order to open fire; I have assured them (farmers) of strict action in the matter," Singh added.

Madhya Pradesh farmers have hit the streets protesting over their demands for remunerative prices for their produce and a farm loan waiver not being met.

This unfortunately took an ugly turn on Tuesday when five farmers were killed and eight others were injured in two separate incidents of firing in Mandsaur.

The protestors alleged that the police fired at them. A judicial probe has been ordered in the matter.

Internet services in Mandsaur, Ratlam and Ujjain were also suspended following the farmers' protests, and a curfew was reportedly imposed.

Apart from the loan waiver, the farmers are also demanding that they should be given Rs. 50 per litre of milk bought from them as they spend Rs. 37 per litre.

Reacting to the incident, Chief Minister Chouhan earlier in the day apprised Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah of the situation in Mandsaur over the phone.

Chief Minister Chouhan on Tuesday announced a compensation of Rs. 1 crore each to the victims' families. The injured will get Rs. 5 lakh in compensation, he added.

In a video message, Chouhan also promised a government job to each of the victims' kin.