MP CM Shivraj Chouhan calls emergency meeting after 5 farmers die in police firing

Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister ordered an emergency meeting after five farmers were killed in police firing during protests in Mandsaur. The Chief Minister also announced a compensation of Rs 1 crore and Government job to one family member of deceased. Also, Rs 5 lakh shall be given to the injured.   Police has said it did not fire at the protesters. The BJP has accused the Congress of provoking the farmers leading to the fatalities. Violence broke out today during a farmers' protest in Mandsaur following which curfew was today clamped in Pipalya Mandi area and prohibitory orders imposed in other parts of the district, officials said. Mandsaur Collector S K Singh also denied that the police had opened fire. "Curfew has been clamped in Pipalya Mandi police station area and in the rest of the district section 144 of CrPC has been imposed," Singh told newsagency PTI over phone. When asked about reports claiming death of farmers, Singh said he does not have any such information. Farmers in western Madhya Pradesh are protesting since June 1 demanding minimum support price for their farm produce, among other things. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan yesterday said his government is taking all necessary steps to address the issues of the agitating farmers. A price stabilisation fund of Rs 1,000 crore would be set up to purchase the farm produce at the minimum support price (MSP), he had said. Mandsaur is about 325 kms from the state capital Bhopal.