A large-scale protest by farmers, which brought the vital Agra-Mumbai National Highway to a complete halt for nearly an entire day, was called off late on Monday night. The suspension came after the district administration in Dhar agreed to formally present the cultivators' demands to both the Madhya Pradesh and central governments.
Highway Brought to a Standstill
Around 10,000 farmers from four districts—Dhar, Barwani, Khargone, and Khandwa—gathered near the Kahlghat toll plaza at Dhamnod. They completely blocked the crucial highway, defying prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS that were active across Dhar district. The protest focused on three primary demands: a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP), a waiver of farm loans, and better prices for their agricultural produce.
The blockade forced a critical trade and travel corridor to a standstill. Thousands of travelers were compelled to take lengthy detours of 60 to 70 kilometers, while the movement of commercial vehicles across multiple districts was severely disrupted. Authorities had decided on alternative routes, but the impact was widespread.
Administration's Assurance Leads to Suspension
According to DIG Nimar zone Siddharth Bahuguna, the main organizing body, the Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Mahasangh, decided to suspend the agitation after submitting a memorandum to Dhar Collector Priyank Mishra around 8 pm. While some farmers remained at the site initially, they gradually began to disperse.
Speaking to the media, Collector Priyank Mishra stated that the farmers' demands were heard. "They presented their demands, and as per the instructions of the chief minister, they were assured that all their concerns will be heard with full sensitivity," Mishra said. He added that issues under the state government's jurisdiction would be examined sympathetically, while demands falling under the Centre's purview would be taken up in Delhi by MPs and public representatives forming a delegation.
Tense Standoff and Major Disruptions
The day was marked by tension. Farmers began mobilizing early in the morning, and a meeting between their representatives and the collector in the late afternoon ended without a resolution, escalating the situation. At one point, police tried to divert traffic onto one lane of the four-lane highway, which triggered a strong reaction from the protesters. Farmers physically stood in front of vehicles and some sat on the road, even placing trees across the carriageway to stop all movement, including two-wheelers.
The protesters were prepared for a long haul, having earlier appealed for essential supplies like blankets, clothing, food, and fuel. The administration deployed a force of 400 officers and used drones for aerial surveillance. The disruption was felt across the Nimar region, with heavy vehicles halted and light traffic diverted through Barwani and Khargone. Weekly markets were shifted as a precaution, and health centers were put on alert.
Following the protest's suspension, Dhar SP Mayank Awasthi confirmed that police were working to clear the route and restore normal traffic flow on the historic Agra-Mumbai national highway (NH46/NH52), a vital economic artery linking northern and western India.
