Farmers from Nashik, Ahmednagar, Parbhani and other parts of the state not only distanced themselves from the decision of KKM but also stepped up the agitation by resorting to road blockades and protest processions.
A large section of Maharashtra farmers on Saturday rejected the Kisan Kranti Morcha (KKM's)'s decision to call off the strike after talks with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis late on Friday night. As the strike continued for the third day, prices of vegetables in Mumbai rose by up to 70 per cent at the wholesale market in Vashi, Navi Mumbai.
Farmers from Nashik, Ahmednagar, Parbhani and other parts of the state not only distanced themselves from the decision of KKM but also stepped up the agitation by resorting to road blockades and protest processions.
Farmers in Nashik district burnt the effigy of activist-turned-Minister of State for Agriculture and Marketing Sadabhu Khot. Farmers from Niphad taluka in Nashik burnt tyres and blocked roads. They also threw potatoes and other vegetables on the roads as a mark of protest. In Parbhani, farmers gathered in large numbers to protest against the KKM's decision to call off strike and spilled milk on the roads. They also blocked traffic.
Farmers from Puntambe village, who were the first to launch the strike, protested against the agreement reached between the CM and KKM. They hinted that they will continue their agitation in a peaceful manner.
Fadnavis, after a four-hour-long meeting late on Friday night, had announced that a committee comprising the representatives of the government and farmers will be set up to announce the decision by October 31 on loan waiver for small farmers. Besides, it was also agreed that the decision on revision of milk prices would be taken on June 20 and that the act of offering lower than minimum support price to farmers for their produce will be considered as criminal act.
Fadnavis assured the farmers that the government will write off the interest and penal rate of interest charged on agricultural consumers for non payment of electricity tariff.
However, the Maharashtra Kisan Sabha led by Ajit Nawale who left the meeting halfway with Fadnavis, told DNA ''A farmers' rally is being organised on June 8 at Nashik to decide on the future course of action. It will be attended by farmers' leaders, including Raju Shetty, Bachu Kadu, Raghunathdada Patil."
He said the CM had not offered anything new. The loan waiver is needed for all farmers and there should not be any discrimination, he said.
On the other hand, Jayaji Suryawanshi, another farmer leader involved in negotiations with the chief minister, took a U-turn on Saturday, saying the decision to call off the strike was taken in hurry and that he is now ready to apologise to farmers.
Suryawanshi, president of Annadata Shetkari Sangathana, said the issue will be discussed with farmers again and the decision about the strike would be announced onSunday in Auranbagbad.
Farmers under the aegis of KKM, which was supported by over 40 other organisations, had started the strike on June 1 to press for their demand ofcomplete waiver of farm loans, free electricity, appropriate remunerative prices for their produce, grants for irrigation, pension for farmers who are 60 years of age and above, and implementation of the Swaminathan Committee recommendations. The strike, which was marred by stray incidents of violence in some districts, affected the functioning of wholesale markets, agricultural produce market committees due to a lack of fresh supplies of fruits and vegetables.
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