NUAPADA : Vehicular movement on National Highway-353 was disrupted for five hours on Tuesday as villagers staged a road blockade at Jadamunda in Komna demanding justice for a farmer who allegedly died by suicide after being unable to sell his paddy despite receiving a procurement token.
The deceased farmer was identified as 45-year-old Nepal Majhi of Jadamunda village. He reportedly consumed poison on Monday and died while undergoing treatment at Nuapada district headquarters hospital (DHH). Nepal’s family alleged that prolonged delays in paddy procurement despite issuance of a token had pushed him into severe financial distress.
Following his death, hundreds of villagers and farmers blocked NH-353 demanding compensation for the bereaved family and immediate procurement of paddy lying unsold at mandis.
The agitators said Nepal had cultivated paddy on three acre and groundnut on two acre of land during the current rabi season. He reportedly received a procurement token on May 30 to sell 36.96 quintal of paddy. However, his produce remained unsold even after 24 days.
Family members said the farmer was under mounting pressure due to pending payments for tractor and threshing machine rentals, household expenses, and the education of his three children. On Monday, he had also joined a farmers’ protest outside the civil supplies office demanding procurement of paddy from Jadamunda mandi.
After returning home, Nepal reportedly got into an argument with family members over financial difficulties. Distressed over the delay in selling his produce and the resulting debt burden, he allegedly consumed poison. He was rushed to the DHH but succumbed during treatment later in the evening.
The agitators alleged that thousands of paddy bags are lying at various mandis across the district despite commencement of procurement on May 25.
The blockade was lifted after local administrative officials held discussions with the protesters and assured them that their demands would be placed before the government.
Sub-collector Surmi Soren said the agitators demanded compensation of Rs 20 lakh for Nepal’s family, lifting of paddy stocks and support for the education of the deceased farmer’s children.
Three vehicles were immediately sent to lift paddy from the local mandi. Besides, Rs 50,000 was provided to the deceased farmer’s family from the Red Cross fund. Further compensation will be released after consideration.
(If you are having suicidal thoughts, or are worried about a friend or need emotional support, someone is always there to listen. Call Tele Manas - 14416 (available 24x7) or Sneha Foundation - 04424640050 or iCall, the Tata Institute of Social Sciences helpline - 02225521111, which is available Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 10 pm.)