Ujjain: Farmers arrived at the mandi under strict security in small numbers, on the first day of the ‘Gaon bandh’ farmers agitation on Friday. The administration has been fully geared up to tackle any untoward incident during the 10-day agitation.
The farmers reached grain mandis under strict vigil and held auctions to sell their crop and vegetables. Vegetable vendors were seen selling vegetables fearlessly across the city, while milkmen also carried out routine supply in the city.
Mandi committee head Bahadur Singh Bormundla informed that the farmers had come to the mandi to sell their crops but in lesser numbers than expected. They however continued routine supply of vegetables and took part in auctions. Only 6 trolleys of grain reached the mandi to be auctioned as compared to average 250 trolleys daily, he added.
Administration’s take The situation remained peaceful in the district and no untoward incident was reported from anywhere on Friday. In view of the dharna, the district administration and police made extensive arrangements. Continuous patrolling was being carried out by the executive magistrates and police officers. Collector Manish Singh and SP Sachin Atulkar constantly monitored the situation.
In the Ujjain municipal area and other urban areas of the district, the administration took care to see that there was no shortage of milk, vegetables and other essential items. Collector instructed all SDMs to provide assistance and security to all the district officials and village panchayat secretaries in procuring milk and vegetables from rural areas.
Since the evening of June 1, the Ujjain Dairy Union started sending vehicles for milk collection on the milk routes. The collector gave directions to provide necessary help and security to the farmers and sellers who brought vegetables and milk into the city. To follow the above instructions, additional collector Deepak Arya and ADM GS Dabar have been asked to remain in constant contact with the subordinate officials.
The collector has also instructed to keep a close watch on the spread of rumors on social media to maintain peace in the district. He has directed the ADM to take legal action against those post malicious texts. The common citizens have been asked to immediately inform the control room if they came across such posts.
Vegetable prices on rise The city generally consumes a quantity of 3 thousand quintals of vegetable daily but due to the farmers’ agitation only 350 quintals of vegetables were auctioned as a result prices of which, vegetables went up from Rs 20 to Rs 30 per kilogram in vegetable markets at Chhatri Chowk, Freeganj and Doulatganj. Strict vigil conducted at every nook and corner.
The police administration remained on high alert on the first day of the agitation. Over two thousand policemen held strict vigil since early morning on roads connecting Indore, Dewas, Agar, Maksi and Barnagar with 50 mobile vans. No untoward incident was reported in the city during the first day of agitation. Milk supply also remained unaffected.
Errant officer on collector’s radar Collector Manish Singh issued a show-cause notice to the Makdon nayeb tehsildar, Shivakant Pandey, who was not present at the headquarters on June 1 during the farmers’ movement and in wake of complaints received during in the Jansamvad programme organised in Tarana recently.
The collector has clarified in the notice that Pandey often left the headquarters without permission and failed to maintain coordination with the police administration. He also neglected the Chief Minister’s programme. The collector has asked Pandey to personally appear before him in the next 3 days and submit a reply.