Firing on protesting farmers in Madhya Pradesh: Three killed in Mandsaur, curfew imposed

Correspondent

NewsBits.in

BHOPAL: Three farmers were killed while half-a-dozen others were injured in police firing in Mandsaur on Monday.

The incident occurred after CRPF personnel reportedly tried to control the farmers' protest that was turning violent.

After the incident, heavy police force has been deployed in the entire region.

District administration has imposed curfew in the region. The farmers have been protesting in the state for the last five days. There was violence at several places earlier too.

UPDATE: Death figure goes up to six

The number of farmers who died in the firing has gone up to six. A compensation of Rs 10 lakh has been announced to next of kin of each of the victims. The initial figure was three.

However, the manner in which BJP government handled the protest has raised several questions. Initially, the government didn't take the protests seriously.  However, when the size of protesters grew, the ministers said that anti-social lements were part of protesters.

Today, the firing in Mandsaur, led to death of farmers. Now farmers have given a call for statewide bandh tomorrow. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that a judicial probe would be conducted into the firing incident.

However, after the incident, Home minister Bhupendra Singh made a statement, claiming that police didn't fire at farmers. He said that anti-social elements  were involved in the firing. The police headquarters (PHQ) is keeping a watch on the situation.