After increasing protests for farm loan waiver went in vain, three more farmers in Madhya Pradesh committed suicide owing to debt. In the past 24 days, the number of suicides in the State stands at 42, meaning an average of two deaths a day.
Govind Das, 70, hanged himself because of a land dispute in Himmatpura, under the Pichhor police station of Shivpuri district. A police official, Pratap Singh Gujjar, on Wednesday speaking about this suicide said, “He bought a piece of land a few years ago, but the sons of the seller lodged a complaint against him and the case went to court. Govind lost the case and consequently the land. And that is why he committed suicide.”
In another incident, Parshuram Sahu of Maneshia village of Rahatgarh region in Sagar district consumed pesticide and committed suicide. He was shifted to Medical College Hospital in Sagar, where he died amidst treatment.
The relatives of Sahu said he had a debt of Rs. 2.25 lakhs from his relatives and lenders. As he was unable to payback, he committed suicide. However, the Station House Officer of Rahatgarh, Shivpratap Singh Baghel said: “Parshuram often remained sick and that is why he ate sulphas (poison.) As regards debt, exchange of money is a common process in rural areas.”
In the third case. Sanjeev Rai, another farmer hanged himself as he was unable to pay the debts. The SHO Naresh Singh Parihar said the reason for this death is still not known and the case is under investigation.
These suicides continue in Madhya Pradesh even as Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has promised to make farming a business of profit.
