POST NEWS NETWORK
Nabarangpur/ Komna, Nov 17: Farmer suicides in the state continue unabated with three more farmers ending their lives in the last 24 hours in Nabarangpur, Sambalpur and Nuapada districts.
The deceased farmers were identified as Labanya Jani (50) of Puruna Pani under Nandahandi block in Nabarangpur, Sushil Patra (55) of Dhankauda block in Sambalpur and Dhansai Sabar (52) of Mahulabhata under Komna block in Nuapada district. They were reportedly under strain allegedly due to crop damage and debt burden.
A report from Nabarangpur said Labanya, who was reeling under debt burned, committed suicide Monday evening by consuming an overdose of medicine, his wife Katani Jani said.
Labanya had cultivated two acres of land for which he had borrowed Rs 40,000 from moneylenders. After suffering crop loss, he was deeply worried about repayment of the loans and eventfully took the extreme step, she added.
After this incident, a large number of local people along with Congress workers rushed to his house Tuesday and staged a protest, demanding Rs 10 lakh as compensation to the bereaved family. Tentulikhunti IIC Bisikesan Sahu also visited the spot.
Locals alleged before the Congress workers that the IIC had managed to get a written statement from the family members of Labanya that he died of a disease.
The IIC allegedly allowed cremation of the body without conducting post-mortem. Congress activists demanded the IIC’s suspension. SDPO Damodar Lenka said the matter will be investigated.
A report from Komna said crop damage and debt burden drove Dhansai to drink pesticide. He was admitted to the local CHC in critical condition and died later. The farmer is survived by his wife Malati, six daughter and three sons. He had cultivated eight acres of land on a share-cropping basis and two acres of his own.
He had borrowed Rs 44,000 from a micro finance company, Rs 40,000 from a cooperative society, and Rs 25,000 from various other sources.
A report from Sambalpur said Sushil of Khagasipali under Dhankauda block had consumed poison and was under treatment at Burla-based VSS Medical College and Hospital where he succumbed Monday night.
Local police seized the body and sent it for post mortem. A team of officials led by tehsildar Rajendra Minj visited the village and investigated the matter. His family alleged he was under strain due to crop loss.
However, the tehsildar asserted that Sushil committed suicide over a family feud. PNN
