Mumbai, February 21: Maharashtra farmers suspended their 200-km 'Kisan Long March-2' from Nashik to Mumbai after a meeting with Water Resources Minister Girish Mahajan late on Thursday. According to reports, the Maharashtra government gave a written assurance to fulfil demands of farmers after which the 'Kisan Long March-2' agitation was called off.

Organised by the CPI-M's peasant wing All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), the march has attracted farmers from all over the state including many women. The eight-day march was supposed to end in Mumbai on February 27. On Wednesday, Mahajan met some AIKS representatives in Nashik. However, the talks remained inconclusive.

Following the failed meeting, AIKS President Ashok Dhawale on Thursday vowed that the march will continue until "the government gives written assurances on its demands".

The farmers' demands include immediate relief in view of the severe drought situation in the state, issues related to irrigation, land rights, full loan waiver, minimum support prices at one-and-a-half times the total production cost, a pro-farmer crop insurance scheme, enhanced pension for elderly farmers as well as food and health security.

On March 12, 2018, after a gruelling march by around 35,000 peasants, the Maharashtra government "accepted" a majority of their demands after which the farmers' agitation, which secured the support of all the parties, was called off.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 21, 2019 11:39 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).