The Commission has sought a report on suicide of 12 farmers in Bargarh from Chief Secretary within four weeks
Bhubaneswar: Expressing concern over the suicide of 12 farmers in Bargarh within a span of just 50 days, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a notice to the state government and directed it to submit a report on the issue within four weeks.
According to a press statement, the Commission has taken suo-motu cognizance of a media report that 12 farmers committed suicide in 50 days in district Bargarh.
“Reportedly, the most recent suicide was by a farmer on the 15th of December, 2017. He was under tremendous pressure and took the extreme step due to crop loss and loan burden,” the Commission said in the statement.
The NHRC has observed that the suicide of farmers indicate towards a grave situation amounting to violation of right to life of the poor victims and called for immediate measures on part of the state government.
As a result, the NHRC has issued a notice to the Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi asking for a detailed report including the steps taken for relief and rehabilitation of the affected families, within four weeks.
The commission has also observed that there have been a number of cases of suicides by the farmers as well as farm labourers across the country, including in the states of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh.
The NHRC said it has been taking cognizance of such matters and emphasising upon the Centre as well as the concerned state governments to initiate immediate and effective steps to understand the anguish of the poor farmers. It also wants the Centre and the state governments to ensure that the grief-stricken farmers are not forced to take any extreme step due to any action or inaction by the state authorities.
PNN
