6 farmers were killed in the police firing at Pipliya Mandi during the agitation on June 6 last year.
Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday met the kin of farmers who were killed in police firing in Madhya Pradesh's Mandsaur last year. The Congress chief also addressed a rally in the district to mark the first anniversary of the police firing in which 6 farmers were killed.
Sharing pictures of his meeting with the family members of the deceased farmers, Rahul said, "A year after Mandsaur firing, the inquiry commission report is yet to come out. Families of the martyred farmers are awaiting justice. I understand the pain of losing your kin. Today I met the victim families and spent a few moments together to share their pain."
Six people -- Kanhaiya Lal Patidar, Satyanarayan Dhangar, Abhishek Patidar, Bablu, Ghanshyam Dhakad and Chintaman Patidar -- were killed in the police firing at Pipliya Mandi during the agitation on June 6 last year.
Farmers had held statewide protests in Madhya Pradesh last year demanding better prices for their crops. The agitation was marred by violence at many parts in the state, especially in Mandsaur, which emerged as the epicentre of protests. Family members of deceased farmers have been invited to attend Rahul's "kisan rally" at Khokhra (Pipliya Mandi) in the district.
Speaking at the rally, Rahul said Prime Minister Narendra Modi broke his promises that he had given to the youth and farmers of the country before the 2014 elections.
Rahul said while the Modi government has let go of thousands of crores of rupees in loans given to industrialists, loans of a few thousand rupees of farmers have not been waived.
Officially launching the campaign ahead of the Madhya Pradesh polls, he promised that if the Congress comes to power in the states, farmers' loans will be waived within 10 days of forming the government.
Earlier, the family of one of the six farmers alleged that they have been asked by the local administration not to meet Rahul Gandhi.
The brother of Abhishek Patidar reportedly received a call from the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) asking him not to meet the Congress chief.
Speaking to news agency ANI, parents of Abhishek Patidar said, "SDM called our other son and asked who among us will meet Rahul Gandhi, when my son told him that my parents are going, SDM said ask them to not meet Rahul Gandhi."
Former Mandsaur MP and Congress leader Meenakshi Natrajan said her party had urged the kin of the deceased to participate in the meeting.
(With PTI inputs)
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 "Rahul Gandhi meeting kin of a farmer killed in police firing in Mandsaur last year")
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