NHRC isues notice to Odisha Govt over suicide by 12 farmers

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo-motu cognizance of a media report that 12 farmers committed suicide in 50 days in District Bargarh, Odisha. The recent suicide was reportedly by a farmer on December 15, 2017.  He was under tremendous pressure and took the extreme steps due to crop loss and loan burden.

The NHRC, expressing serious concern over the incidents of suicides by farmers in Odisha, has observed that they indicate grave situation amounting to violation of right to life of the poor victims and call for immediate measures on the part of the State Government. Accordingly, it has issued a notice to the Chief Secretary, Government of Odisha, calling for a detailed report in the matter within 4 weeks including the steps taken for relief and rehabilitation of the affected families, according to an NHRC release.

The Commission has also observed that there have been a number of cases of suicides by the farmers and farm labourers across the country including in the States of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh.  It has been taking cognizance of these matters and asking the Centre as well as the State Governments concerned to take immediate and effective steps to understand the anguish of the poor farmers and ensure that due to any action or inaction by the State authorities, the grief stricken farmers are not forced to take the extreme step.