NEW DELHI, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Amid raging farmers' protest in India's central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, the Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan would Saturday sit on an indefinite fast "for peace," officials said.
"The Chief Minister has decided to sit on fast for peace in the state from today 11:00 a.m. (local time) at Dussehra Maidan in Bhopal," a local official told Xinhua. "He has appealed people especially farmers to shun the violence and come to him to discuss things."
The decision to sit on fast and invite agitating farmers for talks was announced by Chouhan on Friday during a press briefing.
"I request everyone to come and discuss their problems with me and I will fast as well as run the government from Dussehra Maidan," Chouhan said.
Farmer protests that began since the beginning of this month took a violent turn on Tuesday after police firing killed six people and wounded two others at Pipaliamandi area in Mandsaur district, about 325 km west of Bhopal, the capital city of Madhya Pradesh. Authorities said the protesters resorted to arson and stone throwing.
The agitating farmers in the state are demanding better prices for crop and debt relief.
To contain the protests local administration imposed curfew in the affected areas and deployed huge contingents of police and paramilitary to enforce restrictions. Internet services were also blocked to prevent agitating farmers from further organizing. The administration has not allowed opposition leaders to visit the affected district.
"A relaxation in the curfew was announced on Friday in Mandsaur district," a police official said. "No untoward incident was reported during this period from any part of the district. People came in large number to buy essential commodities barring few incidents of stone pelting."
Chouhan however warned that his government would not allow anyone to disturb the law and order in the state.
The local government announced an increased compensation of 155,138 U.S. dollars and a government job for the families who lost their kin in Tuesday's firing incident.
India's ruling Bhartiya Janta Party which is heading government in the state has blamed opposition Congress party for inciting farmers.
The opposition parties described Chouhan's plan to sit on fast a "drama" and "hypocrisy."
