Farmer commits suicide in Nabarangpur, Congress Protests

By Rakesh Gupta, Nabarangpur, 28 Oct, 2015: While over 50 farmers have committed suicide over the last few weeks, first farmer’s suicide death was reported from Nabarangpur today. Identified as Bogo Paika (30), he hanged himself from a tree this morning. He is survived by his wife Sabi Paika and three sons – Prasant (7), Susant (3) and Buti (1).

Bogo Paika hailed from Podalguda under Nandahandi block of Nabarangpur district. He reportedly cultivated 5 acre and 70 cents of lands with paddy, but due to inadequate monsoon rains, he suffered a massive crop damage. He was going through mental disturbances for some days while thinking about the repayment of loans. He had reportedly taken Rs 10,000 loan with interest, which he failed to return.

While talking to Odisha News Insight, Nabarangpur Sub Collector Birendra Korkora, refused to confirm whether the news of farmer’s suicide due to crop loss is true or not. However, he revealed that District Collector Rasmita Panda has constituted a committee compromising an Assistant Collector and Nandahandi BDO to investigate this matter.

Meanwhile, Congress leaders in Nabarangpur, led by former Lok Sabha MP Pradeep Majhi staged a blockade by putting the dead body of Bogo Paika on the road. While talking to ONI, Pradeep demanded Rs 10 lakh compensation for the deceased’s family and asked the government to declare entire Nabarangpur distict as drought-affected.