Bhopal, June 24: While the Madhya Pradesh police launched a crackdown on 'black cloth' - considered as a mark of protest - Rajgarh Collector Karamveer Sharma ended up receiving Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a black suit.

Taking jibe,  social activist Ajay Dubey questioned why the Collector did not adhere to the "anti-black protocol". Rajgarh police clarified saying there was no protocol against wearing black clothes. However, suspicious people with black shirts, scarves or handkerchiefs were prevented from entering the venue where PM Modi inaugurated the Rs 3,886 crore Mohanpura irrigation project.

Farmers in Mohanpura have been protesting over the past few days against the inadequate compensation granted to them in lieu of their lands acquired for the irrigation project.

A total of 727 villages are expected to be provided with potable water after the completion of the Mohanpura project.

Ahead of Modi's visit, State Water Resource Minister Narottam Mishra attempted to placate the protesting farmers. In a meeting held with a delegation of protesters in Mohanpura on Friday, Mishra said the government would ensure adequate compensation is provided to the displaced farmers.

Additional police force was deployed in Rajgarh since Friday in view of the Prime Minister's visit. No instance of demonstrations were reported on Saturday, apart from some black flags being planted at a tree in Mohanpura ahead of Modi's arrival. The flags were removed by the police personnel.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 24, 2018 12:20 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).