3 farmers attempt suicide in Madhya Pradesh

BHOPAL - Three farmers in three districts of Madhya Pradesh Monday attempted to commit suicide, in a grim reminder of the continuing crisis the state’s farmers find themselves in after their crops were destroyed by frost.

Ramji Marawi (28), a farmer of Saliwada village in Jabalpur, allegedly took poison along with his two sons Manish (8) and Manoj (4). They have been admitted to the Jabalpur Medical College Hospital, police said.

“For three days he has been saying that we have lost everything after frost destroyed our crop. Today (Monday) he sent me for a daily wage job and took poison with the kids,” a weeping Chanda Devi, Marawi’s wife, said.

Chanda also said that her husband had no debt, but he was very disturbed after his crops in three acres lands got ruined.

In another suicide attempt, Munnalal Ahriwar in Bina took some pesticide and has been admitted to a hospital.

Farid of Laliya village also tried to take own life after his crops were destroyed in the frost. The 30-year-old farmer’s 25-acre land was severely affected by the harsh winter frost, his relatives said.

Farid also owed Rs.4 lakh in debt to some landlords, they said.

Since Dec 15, 2010, over a dozen farmers have committed suicide in Madhya Pradesh and around 36 farmers have attempted suicide, according to officials.

Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has announced he would go on fast from Feb 13 against the centre if it fails to release the relief package sought in favour of frost-affected farmers.

Chouhan has demanded that the centre consider individual farmer as unit of national agriculture insurance scheme, take steps for suspending loans, waiving off this year’s bank loan interest and declare remunerative rates for the crops.

The state Congress president, Suresh Pachouri, is already on fast protesting the alleged negligence of the state government over farmer suicides.

Samajwadi party activists Monday burnt the effigy of the chief minister in Bhopal on the issue.