Post News Network
Bhadrak, Oct 27: The administration Tuesday began a probe into the suicide of farmer Baidhar Mahalik due to alleged crop damage in Sundarpur panchayat of Bhadrak.
Political leaders cutting across party lines visited the village and met the bereaved family members.
Following a directive from Chandbali tehsildar Chitaranjan Sahi, revenue inspector Satyajit Singh visited the house of the victim as part of a preliminary enquiry and spoke to Mahalik’s family members about the incident.
“Mahalik’s family members said he had taken over Rs 1 lakh loan for paddy crop, after there was drought due to scanty rainfall. Down in the dumps over loan burden and crop damage, he had committed suicide by consuming poison,” BDO Manoj Patra said.
The family of the deceased farmer will be provided government help after a probe into the incident is complete, the BDO added.
Meanwhile, a delegation of state Congress leaders met the family members and lambasted the state government over the handling of the farmers’ crisis. They demanded a compensation of `10 lakh for the bereaved family. The Congress leaders said they would pressurise the government into paying adequate compensation to Mahalik’s family, who have been left distraught over his death. The farmer leaves behind three minor daughters and a son.
Local MLA Byomkesh Ray along with other local people’s representatives from BJD also met the bereaved family. Ray assured the family that he would take up the issue with Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
