By Special Correspondent
Sheopur: Widespread crop destruction caused by excessive rainfall has pushed farmers in Sheopur district into severe financial distress, with compensation yet to be disbursed despite official surveys being completed. The crisis deepened when farmer Kailash Meena, devastated by the loss of his crops and mounting economic pressure, died by suicide. His family, too, has reportedly not received any relief so far.
Amid growing public anger, Sheopur MLA Babu Jandel launched a sit-in protest demanding immediate compensation for affected farmers and announced an indefinite hunger strike. On Friday, following a written assurance from the district administration, and at the request of Madhya Pradesh Congress president Jeetu Patwari, Jandel ended his fast. He has given the administration a deadline of 1 December to ensure that compensation reaches farmers. The Congress has warned of a major agitation in Bhopal if the deadline is not met.
Patwari, who visited Sheopur and joined Jandel at the protest site, walked with him to a public meeting venue, where he interacted with distressed farmers and issued a stern warning to officials. He said that every grain produced by Sheopur’s farmers was a commitment for the Congress, declaring that the government’s silence in the face of farmer suffering would no longer be tolerated.
Patwari also took part in the ongoing “Kisan Nyay Yatra” for farmers’ rights. Senior leaders including Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Singh, MLAs Phool Singh Baraiya, Pankaj Upadhyay, Mukesh Malhotra, former ministers and former MLAs were prominently present during the agitation.
Reiterating the party’s stand, Patwari said the Congress’s fight would continue until Sheopur’s farmers receive justice, calling the 1 December deadline the government’s final warning.
