Farmer’s suicide triggers protest, suspension of officials

The incident also led to a raid by vigilance officials at the village office

The suicide by a Kerala farmer on Wednesday, apparently because local officials refused to accept the land tax that he was ready to pay, has triggered wide protests in the state and the suspension of two government officials.

The incident also led to a raid by vigilance officials at the village office in Chembanoda in Kozhikode district, where the officials allegedly refused to accept land tax from the deceased Kavilpurayidathil Joy, 56.

Joy was found hanging on Wednesday night, apparently frustrated by inordinate delay by the village office staff to accept his land tax for his 80 cents of land despite repeated visits to the office over many months.

A preliminary report by the district collector said there had been a failure on the part of revenue officials in the incident. Following the incident, the village officer and a village assistant were placed under suspension and an inquiry ordered.

Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala said the incident had brought disgrace to the state, and that it revealed the extent of corruption prevailing in the revenue department.

Joy’s widow Molly alleged that an official at the village office had sought a bribe of Rs100,000 (Dh5.692), which was what finally drove Joy to taking his life.

A tense situation at the village office prevailed yesterday morning when Joy’s brother Johny reached the office accompanied by family members and local residents to pay the land tax on Joy’s land. He observed alleged manipulations in the records, which in turn led to vociferous protests.

This was followed by a raid by a vigilance and anti-corruption team. Senior revenue department officials will also visit the office to take stock of the situation.