55 Protesters Detained Including MLA Nitin Deshmukh in Washim

In Washim district, police detained approximately 55 protesters, including Nitin Deshmukh, a legislator from the Shiv Sena (UBT), on Friday. This action followed a farmers' protest at the Selu Bazaar interchange, where demonstrators attempted to access the Samruddhi Mahamarg. The protest was organized to demand drought compensation of Rs 1 lakh per hectare, which resulted in significant traffic disruptions on the Akola-Mangrulpir state highway for nearly three and a half hours.

The police response involved the deployment of over 1,500 personnel from five districts in Vidarbha, along with drone surveillance to monitor the situation. Despite barricades, protesters made multiple attempts to breach the barriers, leading to confrontations with law enforcement. Following these events, Deshmukh was taken into custody and transported to a police vehicle.

According to Washim's additional Superintendent of Police, Lata Fad, the situation was brought under control after the detentions. The operation was overseen by SP Nitesh Khatmode-Patil and SP Archit Chandak. Deshmukh later alleged that police had blocked more than 10,000 farmers from reaching the protest area and that food and water meant for approximately 15,000 participants were also obstructed.

The protest saw participation from over 5,000 farmers and Shiv Sena (UBT) workers from various districts, including Akola, Washim, Yavatmal, Amravati, and Buldhana. Deshmukh criticized the government's announced assistance of Rs 5,000, labeling it insufficient for farmers facing distress. He warned that if the government did not meet their demands, further protests could escalate to block train services across Vidarbha.

This protest follows a farmers' march in Akola on September 22, where the Shiv Sena (UBT) had previously warned of a blockade of the Samruddhi Mahamarg if their compensation demands were not addressed by October 5.