Madhya Pradesh farmers' unrest: CM Shivraj Chouhan begins 'peace fast'

MP CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan at Dussehra ground in Bhopal for 'peace fast'.

Bhopal: Amid ongoing farmers' protest in Madhya Pradesh, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan began his indefinite fast on Saturday in an attempt to restore peace. The opposition slammed him for his "drama" and "hypocrisy". He began his 'peace fast' for the solidarity of the state at the Dussehra Maidan in Bhopal where he has invited agitating farmers for talks. Highlights of CM Shivraj Chouhan's speech:

• I know of the bumper crop production that has sent the prices crashing down in the state. I know your (farmers) problems.

 

• The state government stands firm with the farmers. We are going to buy the farm produce and give profitable prices for it.

 

• We have already bought huge quantity of onions at Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Rs 8 per kg. Each onion of farmers will be bought.

 

• Our government is pro-farmer. Your labour won't go waste.

 

• We are going to buy different varieties of pulses at MSP

 

• The irrigation facility has increased manifold and due to abundant water, farmers were reaping rich harvest.

 

• Government had extended Rs 4,800 crore as relief amount to farmers when their soyabean crop was destroyed last year. Similarly, Rs 4,400 crore went as crop insurance compensation sum last year.

 

My visit to Indore to meet farmers was planned in advance. From here I will directly go to attend MP CM's 'peace fast': Kailash Vijayvargiya pic.twitter.com/hDqNFvMsIq

— ABP News (@abpnewstv) June 10, 2017

MPCM refers to ABP News' investigative report showing his old video linked to ongoing farmers'protest,says"never made anti-farmer statement" pic.twitter.com/teiQmorHZn — ABP News (@abpnewstv) June 10, 2017

Without farmers MP cannot progress. We will give them higher rates for every quintal. No one can buy their land without their permission: CM pic.twitter.com/dBKbhkJ0J5 — ABP News (@abpnewstv) June 10, 2017

Rift appears in MP BJP unit as senior leader Kailash Vijayvargiya skips CM's 'peace fast'event.He had criticised state home minister earlier pic.twitter.com/lvitpAG1Y6 — ABP News (@abpnewstv) June 10, 2017

Addressing the gathering in Bhopal, Chouhan, who is on an indefinite fast to restore peace among the farming community of the state, said, "My each breath in last few hours has been taken for the development of Madhya Pradesh, adding that the government's priority was farming in the state. More than 65 percent of our population is dependent on farming. So the state cannot move ahead without the farmers." Chouhan asserted that after he became the chief minister, farmers got 40 lakh hectares of land which was initially 7.5 lakh hectares only. Highlighting his various schemes for the farmers, Chouhan further said, "Whenever, there has been a crisis, I did not sit at my office and visited the farmers myself." Talking to reporters at his official residence, Chouhan on Friday had said: "The state government is working for the farmers and in the past days, many important decisions have been taken to benefit them. Due to the abundance in onion yield, the government is buying it at Rs 8 per kg while toor and moong daal (pulses) will be bought at agreed upon rates. Moreover, a commission has also been set up to look into the costs." "Whenever the farmers were in distress, we have gone to their houses to find solutions, give compensation and distribute insurance claims. The farmers are being given loans at no interest rates. But those who are spreading violence in the name of protests will be dealt with," he added. Asserting that he is ready for talks with the common man, Chouhan said that he will sit in BHEL's Dussehra Maidan from 11 a.m. on Saturday, fasting indefinitely for restoration of peace and will also run his government from the ground. The Chief Minister also requested the protestors to come and talk with him in person, saying that he is open to discussions to solve the problem at hand. However the opposition hit out at him. Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Ajay Singh said: "While the farmers in the state are on the roads with their demands, the Chief Minister has got down to this 'nautanki' (drama). He will now spend crores of rupees in this Kejriwal-like drama." "Who is this indefinite fast against? the public or his own government? The truth is that Chouhan is trying to divert the public's attention from the core issue and is hence using all these cheap tricks," added the Congress leader. Communist Party of India-Marxist State Secretary Badal Saroj said: "The CM of the government that used abusive language for the killed farmers is now going on an indefinite hunger strike for peace. This is nothing but hypocrisy. He is rubbing salt on the wounds of the victim's families." The farmers in the state are protesting over a demand for loan waivers from June 1 and setting suitable prices for the crops. During the protests six farmers have been killed in police firing in Mandsaur district while other regions of the state are also staging violent protests.