Shivraj Singh Chouhan ‘pained’, to fast for peace

Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh chief minister on Friday announced to move “indefinitely” his office to Dussehra Maidan, a sprawling ground here, on Saturday to meet the agitating farmers to address their problems, while going on fast.

“I will move out of Ballav Bhavan (State Secretariat) and sit at Dussehra Maidan from 11am on Saturday. I will govern the state from there. I will meet the farmers and people there. I will resolve their problems. I will also fast for peace,” Mr Chouhan told reporters here after chairing a high-level official meeting to take stock of situation in the state in wake of ongoing farmers’ unrest. Mr Chouhan said he was pained to see that young people were being handed over stones by mischief mongers (to target security personnel).

“I find this disturbing. I always said my doors are open for talks with anybody, particularly the farmers. But mischievous elements are trying to create law and order situation by instigating farmers to resort to violence,” he said. “The violent protests by farmers currently being witnessed in the state is scripted by some people,” he said, apparently referring to the Congress. He detailed how his government has initiated a series of measures to solve problems facing the farmers.