India, Oct. 27 -- Over 12,000 farmers who began a march to Mumbai on Tuesday demanding immediate relief for drought-hit farmers, crop insurance payments, and loan waivers, under the banner of the Leftist All India Kisan Sabha, withdrew the march in the evening as chief minister Devendra Fadnavis gave a positive response to the demands and assured that the government will take steps to benefit farmers.

The farmers carrying red flags began their march from Igatpuri to Mumbai along the Nashik-Mumbai highway. All India Kisan Sabha leader Ajit Nawale called for reform in the farm loan waiver policy. He argued that farmers who regularly repay their loans should benefit from the scheme.

In the evening, Fadnavis met a delegation of farmers unde...