A prolonged dry spell has triggered at least four suicides in Maharashtra’s western Vidarbha region over the last three days.
According to a report in The Times of India, farmers from the Wardha district have written to the Chief Minister regarding their decision to sell their village due to a lack of government aid.
So far, 36 farmers have committed suicide in this village due to crop failure since 2003.
Two suicides were reported in Washim district on Friday. Sandeep Shelke (22), a progressive farmer of village Mungla hanged himself in his field, Malegaon police said. In another incident, Durgabai Deshmukh (55), a woman farmer of village Kata, set herself on fire. Crop failure and increasing loan burden are said to be the reasons behind both the suicides.
– Times of India
On Friday, the data released by National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) placed Maharashtra on top in the list of states with farm suicides last year.
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