Maharashtra farmers protest Live updates: The crucial meeting between Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and a delegation of farmers is taking place in Mumbai. Nearly 50,000 farmers from tribal-dominated talukas in Nashik, Thane and Palghar of Maharashtra have gathered Mumbais iconic Azad Maidan. Doctors have visited them in the morning. Meanwhile, additional security was deployed around of Maharashtra Assembly to maintain law-and-order, according to reports. Protesting walked over 160 km and were demanding a loan waiver free of any conditions, implementation of the Forest Rights Act. Apart from this, they want fixed remunerative prices for agri produce and implementation of the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission. MNS, Shiv Sena and Congress have extended support to farmers. Last year, Maharashtra government had waived off farmers loan. Track Live Updates Maharashtra farmers protest in Mumbai 4.55 pm: They had around 12-13 demands out of which weve accepted some will be giving them a written draft of it. I think theyre satisfied with our decisions. 4.20 pm: Farmers have reached an agreement with the state government. Protest ends. 4.04 pm: Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis told the state Assembly today, Were positive towards fulfilling their demands. Since 1st day of Morcha, we tried to discuss issues with them. Girish Mahajan was in touch with them from day 1. But they were firm on taking out the march. 3:40 PM: Spokesperson of Mumbai Dabbawala Association Subhash Talekar said that they thought about helping the farmers with food as they are our food-providers and have come from remote parts of the state. 3:30 PM: Meamwhile, the famed dabbawalas of Mumbai and the city residents have extended helping the thousands of farmers, who walked for six days to reach Mumbai from Nashik to raise their various demands, by providing them food and water. 2:10 PM: The march organisers said they were demanding an increase in pension schemes for poor peasants and farm workers, compensation for losses due to pink bollworm and pest attacks and re-hauling of the public distribution system. 2:05 PM: A committee has been formed to resolve the farmers issues. This committee includes Revenue Minister Chandrakant Patil, co-operation minister Subhash Deshmukh, Water Resources Minister Girish Mahajan and public undertakings minister Eknath Shinde and tribal welfare minister Vishnu Savra. 2:00 PM: Vikhe Patil in the assembly said the protesting farmers had reached the Azad Maidan early this morning from the K J Somaiya Ground in the eastern suburbs so that students appearing for their board exams are not hassled due to traffic jams. The Mumbaikars are also taking care of them, Patil said. 1:55 PM: Patil also wondered why couldnt the government talk to them before the march began from Nashik on March 6. Such hardships for tribals and farmers could have been avoided. 1:50 PM: Pawar said that all parties have supported their just demands. Instead of a ministerial committee, the chief minister should intervene immediately and take decisions on their demands. The government should ensure there is no law and order problem as the protesters have said they will not leave Mumbai until their demands are accepted, Pawar said. 1:45 PM: WATCH- Here is what CM Devendra Fadnavis said in the Maharashtra Assembly CM @Dev_Fadnavis in Maharashtra Legislative Assembly on Long March by Kisan Sabha pic.twitter.com\/nMfCKE1h0g Fadnavis also said his government was in touch with the march organisers since March 6. 1:30 PM: The Maharashtra Chief Minister said that tribals are fighting for forest land rights. The CM underlined that protesters are landless and cant do farming. Fadnavis has asserted that the government is sensitive and positive towards their demands 1:25 PM: CM Fadnavis said that a ministerial committee has been formed to discuss the demands with protesters. The government will take a decision esolve the issues in a time-bound manner, said CM Fadnavis. 1:20 pm: CM Fadnavis said protesters were adamant on the march even as the government tried to talk to them. All help was provided, like traffic management and deployment of medical vans, CM Fadnavis said. 1:10 PM: Rahul Gandhi today said the Congress stands with the farmers and tribals marching to protest against the Central and state government apathy. He said that the farmers protest in Mumbai shows the stunning example of people Gandhi also appealed 1:00 PM: Maharashtra Minister Girish Mahajan said the meeting between the delegation and CM Fadnavis will take place at 1 pm. Mahajan said that the government will give solutions for 80-90% of their issues. He sad that the government serious about the demands including loan waiver and will come up with best decisions. Mahajan asserted that Written assurance will be given for accepted demands 12:30 PM: Earlier, Congress president Rahul Gandhi He said that the agrarian community has been facing problems not only in Maharashtra but all over India. Rahul told media, This is not an issue of Maharashtra farmers alone but of farmers all over India. 12:10 PM: Back in March 2016, the All India Kisan Sabha had started the protest. In October 2016, over 15,000 tribals from Palghar district had tried to gherao the residence of Tribal Development Minister of Maharashtra Vishnu Savara. 12:00 PM: It has been learnt that additional forces have been deployed around Maharashtra Assembly to prevent the protest march. Farmers have threatened to gherao the Assembly. 11:35 AM: Kisan Maha Sabha leader Ajit Navale said that a delegate will meet CM Devendra Fadnavis around 12 pm. He also said that the government backtracks, then farmers will march to Assembly. 11:30 AM: Farmers may not allowed to proceed to the Assembly complex from Azad Maidan, a delegation of farmer leaders will be allowed to meet Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. 11:25 AM: CPI(M) leader Ashok Dhawle said that they will begin their rally after 11 am today so that students appearing for their Class 10 board exam dont face any difficulties. Over 50,000 people have joined the protest, claimed Dhawle. 11:20 AM: Maharashtra minister Girish Mahajan has welcomed the march at Mulund in suburban Mumbai yesterday. The Minister said the government, which has met earlier demands by farmers, will consider their latest ones. 11:15 am: Meanwhile, state Governor Vidyasagar Rao told the state legislature that the government last month has transferred over Rs 12,000 crore into bank accounts of 31 lakh farmers. 11:00 AM: WATCH- Congress President Rahul Gandhi Rahul Gandhi today lashed out at the BJP government, farmers across #BREAKING – Farmers across India are suffering under BJP: Rahul Gandhi. #ProtectOurFarmers pic.twitter.com\/9nDlii9NeP Farmers have undertaken a Long March to Mumbai from Nashik to press their various demands including full loan waiver. 10:45 AM: Thackeray has also flayed the BJP government over the issue. The MNS Chief said this government is incapable of doing anything. Addressing the farmers, Thackeray said, I have come to greet you. You have come all the way in this heat. Give me the reins of power and I will show what can be done. 10:35 AM: Meanwhile, CM Devendra Fadnavis has said that the government will talk to famers. The Government is positive on their demands. Most of the agitators are tribals, and their main demand is forest land rights, Fadnavis told PTI. Fadnavis has also said that the government has set up a committee of ministers to hold discussions on farmers demands. 10:25 AM: Hassan asserted that farmers 10:15 AM: Haasan stressed on the empowerment of the agriculture sector saying it is extremely crucial, especially in a country like India, as farmers form the vertebra of the nation. 10:10 AM: Superstar and politician Kamal Haasan, who had recently launched his political outfit had said that any political party that neglects farmers interests in not going in the right direction. 10:05 AM: Mumbai Traffic update: No road would be closed due to the protest march by the All India Kisan Sabhas farmers, Amitesh Kumar, Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) said. Kumar said that no road closure or diversions will happen due to Farmers Morcha now. 9:57 AM: The farmers protest had begun on March 5 from the CBS Chowk in Central Nashik. Protesters will take a march to Assembly. Shiv Senas Aditya Thackeray also met the farmers and interacted with them. 9:52 AM: The demand of farmers are complete waiver of loans and electricity bills. Notably, the Fadnavis government in Maharashtra had announced a loan waiver of Rs 4,000 crore under the first phase of the farm loan waiver scheme. 9:10 AM: Farmers are demanding implementation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA). However, reports say Maharashtra has shown tremendous performance on implementation of the FRA. The FRA seeks to accord rights to forest-dwelling communities including Individual Forest Rights #Maharashtra pic.twitter.com\/3GgN6UMVPB Doctors are visiting Azad Maidan to check health condition of the farmers.
