Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today announced in the state Legislative Assembly that the cases filed against dairy farmers during the ongoing milk protest would be withdrawn.
Fadnavis, however, made it clear that the cases filed against those who are not farmers, but were charged for indulging in violence during the stir, would not be withdrawn.
The chief minister said this in response to the Leader of the Opposition Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil's statements on the issue.
"Tankers and vehicles have been torched at some places during the farmers' agitation...The government is not heeding to the demands of the farmers, but at least withdraw the cases filed against them. Section 151 (3) is slapped against dacoits, but here farmers are being booked under it. It should be withdrawn," Vikhe-Patil demanded.
Fadnavis said, "We are not opposed to a peaceful protest, but some people torched tankers. Farmers would never engage in such acts."
"Cases filed against farmers would be withdrawn. But cases filed against those who are not farmers, but still indulged in such violent acts would not be withdrawn," he said.
Dairy farmers, led by MP Raju Shetti-headed Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana, have been holding protests in parts of the state seeking a hike of Rs 5 per litre in milk procurement prices. The protest began early Monday.
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