Farmers strip in Bhopal to press their demand

Hundreds of farmers stripped semi-nude and took to the streets on Saturday in Bhopal, demanding waiver of their bank debts and electricity bills.

Bhopal, Sept 8 : Hundreds of farmers stripped semi-nude and took to the streets on Saturday in Bhopal, demanding waiver of their bank debts and electricity bills.

The farmers, from various districts across Madhya Pradesh State, said the demand was warranted as they were faced with repeated crop failures over the past three years.

"The paddy crops have been destroyed; some fields have dried up. All the assurances made by the government turned out to be futile. The government has misappropriated funds worth millions," said Ishwarchand Tripathi, a farmer leader participating in the protest.

Many farmers even threatened to commit suicide if their demands were not met.

"If our demands are still not met, we are ready to commit suicide," said Jamunaprasad, another farmer.

The semi-nude protestors had hundreds of women accompanying them at the demonstration.

ANI