The 10-day 'Gaon Bandh’ (farmers' strike) for remunerative prices of produce commenced peacefully in Madhya Pradesh on Friday, with police and administrative authorities exercising caution and all geared up to deal with any untoward situation. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is constantly monitoring the situation.
It was the first day of 10-day-long agitation as part of a nationwide strike of farmers to press for their demands, including waiver of loans and the right price for crops.
Although the agitation has not affected normal life in the state so far, it is likely to hit the supply of essential items like milk and vegetables in the days to come.
On the last day of the protest on June 10, the farmers' bodies will orgainse 'Bharat Bandh'.
Mandsaur Superintendent of Police (SP) Manoj Kumar Singh said that so far there is no shortage of vegetables and milk in the district as all the markets are open.
The police have kept a close vigil in Mandsaur, where six farmers were gunned down in police firing during farmers' agitation on June 6, last year.
Neemuch, the adjoining district of Mandsaur, also has not witnessed any shortage of vegetables and milk although the markets are shut there. However, no farmer came to the grain market in Neemuch to sell his produce.
The Mandsaur SP said no untoward incident has been reported in the district so far. "Five companies of the Special Armed Force (SAF) of MP police are keeping a vigil across the district," he said.