Thousands of farmers from across Madhya Pradesh intensified their march towards Bhopal on Tuesday, pressing the state government to accept their long-pending demands, including 100 per cent government procurement of moong and reforms in the fertiliser distribution system. The protest, organised under the banner of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), witnessed participants breaking through police barricades as they continued their foot march towards the state capital, where they plan to lay siege to the Chief Minister’s residence.

According to farmer leaders, more than 2,000 protesters representing 19 farmer organisations are taking part in the ‘Kisan Kranti Padyatra’. Hundreds of tractors, trolleys and support vehicles are accompanying the march, while participants have carried food, water and other essentials to sustain what they describe as a prolonged agitation.

Barricades Breached Near Mandideep

The second day of the march began from Barkheda and moved towards Bhopal via Obaidullaganj. Police initially stopped the protesters near the Obaidullaganj toll plaza, where senior administrative officials held discussions with farmer representatives and urged them to wait until the evening.

However, after talks failed to produce a breakthrough, the farmers resumed their march. As they reached Simrai on the Mandideep border, police attempted to stop them using barricades near Raj Heights School and later near Bansal College. The protesters eventually crossed the barricades and continued towards Bhopal.

Authorities have deployed a heavy police force along the route, while security arrangements at the outskirts of Bhopal have been significantly strengthened to prevent any law-and-order issues.

Demands Centre on Procurement and Fertiliser

The protesting farmers are demanding complete government procurement of the moong crop and reforms in the fertiliser distribution mechanism, including the withdrawal of the existing token-based system. They argue that the current procurement process leaves many cultivators without government support, resulting in financial losses.

Farmer leaders have maintained that they will continue the agitation until the state government provides a concrete assurance on their demands.

Farmers Prepare for Long Protest

Protesters have arrived with preparations for an extended sit-in if required. Several tractors and trolleys are carrying food supplies sufficient for nearly a week, while many participants have brought cooked meals, including traditional dal-baati, to sustain themselves during the movement.

Speaking at the protest site, several farmers said they would not return home without a satisfactory resolution, describing the march as a fight for the survival of cultivators.

Leaders Allege Restrictions Across Districts

Farmer organisations have alleged that the administration attempted to weaken the protest by restricting the movement of supporters from several districts, including Vidisha, Raisen, Harda, Narmadapuram and Budhni.

According to the organisers, police erected barricades on village approach roads and closely monitored prominent farmer leaders to prevent them from joining the march. The administration has not officially responded to these allegations.

Police Maintain Vigil

Police and district officials continue to monitor the movement closely while appealing to protesters to maintain peace. Security personnel remain deployed at multiple checkpoints, and authorities have indicated that efforts are underway to ensure public order even as the march progresses towards Bhopal.

With both sides holding firm to their positions, the ongoing farmers’ movement is likely to remain a major political and administrative challenge for the Madhya Pradesh government in the coming days.