Bhubaneswar: At a time when farmer suicides continue unabated with two more deaths being reported today allegedly over crop loss, politics over farmer issues intensified as BJP announced plans to launch agitation in all blocks from November 7 to 17 whereas Congress accused the BJD government of failing to understand the needs of farmers.
OPCC chief Prasad Harichandan said when farmers see their standing crops have been damaged by pests, they torch crops to prevent it from spreading to other fields. "Now famers want that the present State government should be dethroned as it has not done much for them," Harichandan added.
BJP legislature party leader KV Singhdeo told media persons, "The saffron party will organize agitation in 314 blocks over farmer issues."
However, refuting the charges, BJD spokesperson, Pratap Deb said, "Before making any statements, they (BJP and Congress) should examine what steps have been taken for farmers in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh where these parties are in power."
Today, a farmer Bhakta Bhoi of Panikipalli in Sohela of Bargarh district, who had consumed poison over alleged crop loss, died at the Padmapur hospital while undergoing treatment. Family members of the deceased alleged that due to lack of irrigation facilities his crops got damaged which caused mental stress forcing Bhoi to take the extreme step.
Earlier in the day, one P.Nabin Kumar of Nuakhairpali village in Bargarh died while undergoing treatment at Burla hospital after he consumed pesticides on Saturday allegedly over crop failure because of pest attack.
In Bargarh district, so far four farmers have killed themselves in the past one week allegedly over crop loss.
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