Curfew relaxed in Madhya Pradesh district

Curfew in violence-hit Mandsaur district of Madhya Pradesh was relaxed for eight hours on Friday, officials said.

The district administration relaxed the curfew here from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mandsaur has seen violent protests since Tuesday after five farmers were killed in a police firing.

"During these eight hours, no one would be allowed to hold demonstrations," District Magistrate O.P. Shrivastava said. The curfew was also relaxed for two hours on Thursday evening.

The farmers in Madhya Pradesh were on strike since June 1 demanding loan waivers and fair prices for their produce.

The agitating farmers resorted to violence on Tuesday, pelting stones at the police. In retaliation, the police opened fire at the farmers' mob, leaving five dead, according to official count. However, farmer leaders claim eight were killed.

A curfew was imposed to control the subsequent violence in Mandsaur and Piplia Mandi area.

Despite the relaxation, the police, along with the Rapid Action Force (RAF) and central security forces personnel, would remain deployed in both places.

--IANS

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