One more farmer dies in Odisha, 8th death in nine days

BJP activists blockade national highway, demand Rs 20 lakh compensation

By Our Correspondent

BHUBANESWAR, Nov. 8 : Tension prevailed on Tuesday in Kamakhyanagar block in Odisha’s Dhenkanal district after activists of the Bharatiya Janata Party blocked the National Highway 53 near Baunsapal Chhak protesting death of a farmer and demanding compensation for the kin of the deceased.

According to sources, Basu Hembram, a farmer of Lembupal village in Baunsapal panchayat here had consumed poison on October 31 and was admitted to the District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) where he was undergoing treatment.

However, he died in the hospital on Tuesday.

Sources said Hembram had taken a loan of Rs 30,000 from a private money lender and was distressed over his crop loss due to deficit rainfall.

Family members alleged he took the extreme step after losing mental balance over debt burden and massive crop loss.

Protesting this, the BJP activists blocked the the highway demanding a compensation of Rs 20 lakh for the family of the deceased and loan waiver along with a demand to declare the area drought-hit.

However, the blockade was later withdrawn after district administration officials pacified the activists and assured to provide compensation.

Saroj Kumar Swain, Kamakhyanagar tehsildar said, “Alleging death of one farmer Basu Hembram, BJP activists blocked the highway and submitted a memorandum which we will forward to the Governor. We have submitted a probe report to the collector and will take further steps as per his directions.”

As many as eight farmers have committed suicide in Odisha in the last nine days. The deceased, according to their family members, were under stress because of crop loss in pest attack and deficit rainfall.