Farmers' agitation in Mandsaur turns violent; Protesters manhandle DM, attack media persons

Protesting farmers scuffle with Mandsaur collector Swatantra Kumar Singh, chase away officers.

MANDSAUR: Farmers's agitation in Madhya Pradesh's Mandsaur district on Wednesday further intensified with protesters setting at least eight to ten vehicles on fire, manhandling the district magistrate and attacking media personnel covering the agitation A state-wide bandh was called in Madhya Pradesh after five farmers were killed when police allegedly opened fire on peasants in Mandsaur district. Farmer's agitation reached Madhya Pradesh's Dewas district which is at a distance of 192 km from Mandsaur. Several vehicles were torched there and stones were pelted on the busses.  LIVE UPDATES:

• More you will try to suppress farmers agitation, more aggressive it will get: Nana Patekar
• Nana Patekar comes out in support of farmers, says CM should consider reasonable demands of farmers.
• Farmers in large numbers blocked a road in Berkheda Panth area, around 18 kms from Mandsaur.
• When the protesters started misbehaving and pushing the collector, we made way for him to come out safe: Berkheda Panth's sarpanch Dinesh told PTI.

Farmers's agitation further intensifies in Madhya Pradesh's Mandsaur, 8-10 vehicles set on fire pic.twitter.com/xPe4ZFBlJM

— ANI (@ANI_news) June 7, 2017

#Mandsaur: Farmers attack ABP News correspondent @brajeshabpnewshttps://t.co/JQJlKYWHWMpic.twitter.com/aiNUKb1wjv — ABP News (@abpnewstv) June 7, 2017

• Heavy police deployment in Barkheda Pant village in Mandsaur
• An official said the curfew would remain in force until further orders.
• Former MP from Mandsaur, Meenakshi Natarajan, was detained when she was on her way to meet the family members of the deceased.
• Singh was chased by the farmers, with some repeatedly hitting him on the head. Tripathi had a tough time too. Police reinforcements which rushed to the spot rescued both the officials.
• Singh and Tripathi wanted to talk to the farmers in a bid to persuade them to end their protest but the attempt backfired.
• Mandsaur District Magistrate Swatantra Kumar Singh and Indore Superintendent of Police O.P. Tripathi were roughed up by a mob when they reached Barkheda Pant in Mandsaur where farmers were squatting on a road with the body of one of those killed on Tuesday.

• Farmers on roads against Mandsaur firing incident
• While the Congress also supported farmers' call for state bandh, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan blamed the opposition party for instigating the violence.
• As tension prevailed, mobile internet service were suspended in Mandsaur, Ratlam and Neemuch districts since morning to check spread of rumours.
• Mandsaur city and Piplya Mandi area were put under curfew after violence.

Eyewitnesses said a clash between the police and farmers was followed by stone-pelting from both sides and firing by the police. "Police had to open fire around 2 p.m. to control agitated farmers, killing two farmers and injuring several others," Ujjain Divisional Commissioner B.M. Ojha earlier told IANS. Protestors also surrounded Piplya Mandi police station after which heavy police reinforcements were sent to control the situation. On Monday night, farmers held a protest on the Mandsaur railway crossing. "On Monday night, farmers stationed near the Dalauda police station came out on the roads to protest and vandalised a railway crossing. They also tried to damage the rail track. However, train services on the route were not affected," Mandsaur Police Superintendent O.P. Tripathi told IANS. Farmers are observing strike from June 1 to June 10 to press their demands with the government. On Monday, the Chief Minister had assured farmers that onions would be purchased by the government at Rs 8 per kg and 'moong' pulse at agreed price, and that a Rs 1,000 crore stabilisation fund would be set up. Though the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh has called off its strike, other farmer organisations have continued the agitation. The state has been facing shortage of milk and vegetables, leading to a price hike. Farmers poured milk on the Agra-Malwa road last week and stopped trucks from carrying vegetables to markets. Several parts of the state faced a similar situation.