Post News Network
Bolangir/Angul, Oct 20: There was no let-up in farmer suicides in the state with two fresh cases reported from Bolangir and Angul districts Monday.
The victims were identified as Basudev Bhoi (42) of Ghushuramunda village under Loisingha block in Bolangir district while Sudam Biswal (66) belonged to Dabardhuan village under Banarpal block in Angul district.
Bhoi drank poison Thursday and was admitted to Loisingha health centre. Later, he was shifted to VSS Medical College and Hospital where he succumbed Monday. The incident triggered tension as irate villagers blocked Bargarh-Borigumma NH-26 resulting in disruption of vehicular traffic Monday.
Bhoi had borrowed heavily to raise crops but killed himself due to crop loss. This is the third incident in the district in last 10 days. Two farmers had committed suicide earlier for similar reasons.
Biswal, a share-cropper, was already reeling under crop loss and debt burden. However, he drank poison Saturday after officials of power distribution company Enzen allegedly threatened October 8 to have his properties confiscated and throw him behind bars over non-payment of `22,000. He succumbed while undergoing treatment at SCB Medical College and Hospital Monday.
His widow Sarojini Biswal held Enzen officials responsible for her husband’s death. She submitted a memorandum to the additional district magistrate (ADM) addressed to collector Monday. She demanded a probe and compensation for her husband’s death. The incident triggered shockwaves in the area.
Biswal was found unconscious near a railway track with a bottle of pesticides nearby Saturday. Villagers admitted him to the district headquarters hospital from where doctors shifted him to Cuttack. He however, succumbed despite best efforts by the doctors.
ADM Srinivas Behera said he has ordered a probe by the tehsildar and agriculture officials. When contacted, Enzen divisional manager Rajat Gupta feigned ignorance and rejected the allegations.
