1 MORE FARMER KILLS SELF IN MP, CHOUHAN PUTS OFF RUSSIA VISIT

A 60-year old farmer allegedly hanged himself on Sunday from the branch of a tree in his field in Neemuch district, taking the total number of agriculture-related suicides in Madhya Pradesh to 13 since the June 6 violent protests in Mandsaur.

Pyare Lal Oud of Pipiliya Vyas village, nearly 15 kms from the district headquarters, had taken a loan of ₹2.5 lakh from a bank and was also tense over his daughter’s second marriage, sources said.

Pyare Lal’s son Dev Karan Oud said the bank loan was one of his main worries.

Sarpanch of the village Kishan Lal Patidar said Pyare Lal Oud committed suicide as he was in distress over loan repayment issues.

Hitesh Patil, town inspector (TI) Neemuch city told Hindustan Times that the body of Pyare Lal was sent for post mortem. “We have started investigation into why this farmer hanged himself in his field”, he said.

The farm distress in Madhya Pradesh has been under spotlight since June 6, when five farmers died in police firing during demonstrations to demand a loan waiver and better crop prices in Mandsaur.

The spate of farmer suicides continues in Madhya Pradesh since the violent protests erupted in Mandsaur district.

Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has decided to put off his six-day visit to Russia, starting on Sunday.

“Chouhan’s six-day visit to Russia from today (Sunday) stands cancelled,” said SK Mishra, principal secretary to the chief minister. The chief minister’s visit was aimed at branding and marketing MP in Russia primarily to attract investments, Mishra told news agency PTI .

The development assumes significance as it has come at a time when Congress is targeting Chouhan and backing the farmers who are angry at the state government.