Madhya Pradesh Farmers Suspend Highway Protest After Government Promises Action on MSP and Loan Waivers

Dhar:

A significant farmers' demonstration that commenced early Monday at the Khalghat toll plaza in Madhya Pradesh's Dhamnod was called off late at night, ending the blockade and tension that had persisted throughout the day on National Highway 52.

The protest, organized by the Rashtriya Mazdoor Kisan Mahasangh (RMKM), attracted approximately 5,000 farmers from Dhar, Barwani, Khargone, and Khandwa districts.

Demonstrators were advocating for guaranteed Minimum Support Price (MSP), debt forgiveness, and resolution of various long-standing issues. As part of their protest strategy, farmers obstructed the national highway by placing cut trees across the roadway, effectively halting traffic movement for the entire day.

At around 8 pm, Dhar Collector Priyank Mishra, Dhar SP Mayank Awasthi, and Khargone SP engaged in dialogue with farmer representatives at the demonstration site. With escalating tensions, authorities implemented Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNSS) throughout Dhar district and deployed approximately 400 police personnel to maintain order.

Following extended negotiations, farmers agreed to temporarily suspend their demonstration and presented their demands in a memorandum to Collector Mishra.

Union leaders formally articulated their unaddressed demands through the memorandum. Collector Mishra provided assurance that all concerns would be conveyed to Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Prime Minister Modi. A delegation of farmers would travel to Delhi, accompanied by Union Minister of State Savitri Thakur, to directly present their issues to the central government.

Following these commitments, RMKM leadership announced a temporary cessation of the protest.

Primary demands included guaranteed MSP for all agricultural products, debt relief for struggling farmers, exemption from the Land Pooling Act, and quadruple compensation in land acquisition cases.

Farmers claimed that despite numerous applications and appeals over months, local administration had taken no substantive action, leaving protest as their only recourse.

Thousands arrived early morning with tractor-trolleys, blocking an extensive section of NH-52. Traffic was severely impacted, forcing police to implement diversions and increase their presence in the area.

Authorities had previously warned that highway blockades would not be permitted, but the large turnout overwhelmed traffic management efforts.

RMKM leader Gopal Patidar affirmed that the farmers' demands are "completely justified" and cautioned, "If our issues are not addressed, the agitation will continue for a long time."

Though temporarily suspended, the Khalghat protest indicates growing dissatisfaction among farmers across the region and serves as a warning that their patience has limits.