MP farmers' stir: CM Shivraj breaks his indefinite fast on second day

Reportedly, CM met kin of farmers killed in Mandsaur violence who appealed him to break his fast. (ANI)

NEW DELHI: Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan who was on an indefinite fast from June 10 ended it on Sunday afternoon by having coconut water in the presence of senior BJP leader Kailash Joshi and Kailash Vijayvargiya. CM Chouhan was on 'peace fast' at Dussehra Maidan in Bhopal for restoration of  peace in violence-hit state. Reportedly, CM met kin of farmers killed in Mandsaur violence who appealed him to break his fast. Even after addressing grievances of farmer leaders, the state failed to reach a compromise. Farmer leaders asserted that they will continue the agitation till their demands, including loan waiver and better price of their produce, are met. In an interview, CM Chouhan said, "One thing that made me emotional was the number of our children that we lost in these protests. Their parents came to meet me yesterday and despits such grief befalling upon them, asked me to put an end to the issue". Commenting about the amenities provided to him in the tent he has made a stay in for the fasting period, he said, "I was told that this was a five-star tent. They even asked me to put an AC, but I said that wasn't required. You don't go on a fast for the farmers by living in AC. We made a meeting room, because I had to meet officials and farmers." Farmer leaders asserted that they will continue the agitation till their demands, including loan waiver and better price of their produce, are met. Adding to the woes of BJP-led Central Government, 62 farmers' organisations will hold nationwide demonstration from June 11, as decided at the meeting held in Delhi a day before. From June 11-15, farmers will do peaceful protests wearing black band but on June 16, there will be nationwide highway blockades from 12 noon to 3 pm. Next meeting of farmers is scheduled to be held on June 19 In a counter attack, Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia has announced a 72-hour-long 'satyagraha' from June 14 in Bhopal. Scindia, MP from Guna constituency of Madhya Pradesh will protest against the 'anti-farmer policies' of the BJP government in the state. No major violence was reported from the state and curfew was lifted from three of the four police station areas in Mandsaur district, the epicentre of the farmers' agitation on Saturday.