Acute shortage of water in Maharashtra district
Farmers were protesting against government’s failure to complete key water projects
A government tanker releases water in a well as villagers wait to fill up their containers at a tribal village in Mokhdad district of Maharashtra yesterday. The region is facing acute shortage of water and government tankers supply water to the villagers only one time a day.
Six farmers attempted suicide by drinking poison in front of the local administration’s office in Manvat, Parbhani district, Maharashtra, yesterday. They had been demanding the completion of several water and irrigation projects.
Police officers quickly overpowered the farmers as they tried to ingest poison and officials took them to a governmental hospital where they are presently undergoing treatment.
The protest was being held against the failure of the administration to complete several development projects including drinking water supply to their village.
Fadnavis visit
On April 11, at least 15 farmers had submitted a signed memorandum to Manvat’s revenue officer (‘tehsildar’) announcing their decision commit mass suicide.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was expected to arrive yesterday along with Union Surface Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari to inaugurate some development and road projects.
Farmers’ suicides have not abated in spite of the government announcing loan waivers to help them surmount their debts.
Parbhani district in Marathwada region has witnessed more such deaths with a 60-year-old farmer hanging himself from a tree in his field just two days ago. to