Post News Network
Nabarangpur/Dhenkanal, Nov 6: Three more farmers Friday ended their lives in Nabarangpur and Dhenkanal districts Friday, adding to the toll of farmer suicides that is refusing to abate in the backdrop of a severe drought afflicting the state.
Reports from Nabarangpur said two farmers allegedly committed suicide in the district. Chaituram Gond, son of Laxman Gand of Muruadihi under Raighar block has cultivated paddy in six acres and had borrowed Rs 30,000 from money lenders.
Locals said Chaituram was under stress after crop damage. He committed suicide by hanging himself from a tree. His body was found by locals in the morning. Locals staged an agitation while officials assured them of a probe into the mater.
Similarly, residents of Nangaguda village under Chikalpadar panchayat under Umerkote police limits recovered the decomposed body of a man who had gone missing about 20 days back.
The body of Baladev Ganda was found hanging from a tree on the riverbank which was two km from the village, the villagers said, adding he might have committed suicide due to crop loss.
Family members identified the decomposed body after recovering a mobile phone from the deceased’s trousers. Police registered a case of unnatural death and started an investigation.
Ganda raised crops in a 2.72 decimal plot. Agricultural officer Rashmi Ranjan Sahoo said 60 per cent of the crops in his land were still fit for harvesting. Officials further rubbished the claims of some villagers that it was a case of suicide due to crop loss.
Reports from Dhenkanal said Prasanna Jena alias (40) of Ushadihi of Nadiali gram panchayat under Sadar block was allegedly under stress due to crop loss and consumed poison. His family members said Friday morning he committed suicide in shock after witnessing the extent of crop damage in his farm.
Jena was admitted to Athagarh hospital in a critical condition where he succumbed during the evening. His body was handed over to the bereaved family after post-mortem.
Informed, deputy director of agriculture Chhabindra Behera along with other officials visited the village. He said necessary steps will be taken after availing the report in this regard.
With this casualty, three famers have committed suicide in Dhenkanal. Two other deceased farmers belonged to Sankulei and Ostapal under Odapada block.