MNS threatens to intensify agitation

Mumbai: The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has threatened to intensify its state-wide agitation if the state government fails to provide drinking water, fodder for animals and employment for the people in drought-affected areas within eight days.

The MNS leaders and activists on Thursday held protests opposite district collector offices in all drought-affected districts of the state. They also demanded that the state government take immediate drought mitigation measures to provide relief to farmers and animals in drought affected areas.

“Despite 14,000 farmers committing suicides, the ministers are just pretending to help them. How much more suicides are they waiting for?” asked MNS leader and former MLA Jaiprakash Baviskar.

“In coming days, the plight of farmers in drought-affected areas is likely to become very serious. So, we are demanding that three immediate measures be taken to tackle it. These are drinking water, fodder for animals and employment for the people,” he added.