PATNAGARH LAND FRAUD: FARMER CONSUMES POISON
Upset over lack of support from the district administration in
getting land back from a fraudulent company, a villager of Ghumer under
Patnagarh block in Balangir district consumed poison in an attempt to commit
suicide on Wednesday.
Victim Chhabi Sahu, a
farmer, was first admitted in the District Headquarters Hospital, Balangir and
subsequently shifted to the VSS Medical College Hospital as his condition
worsened.
“We found him lying
unconscious in a field and rushed him to Patnagrah hospital first,” said
Chhabi’s brother Nabin Sahu.
Nabin said Chhabi was
looking upset for a couple of days. He consumed poison to commit suicide as he
suffered a lot in losing land and could not get any support in restoring the
same from a fraudulent company.
It may be noted here that
in 2005-06 several companies, including Taj Gas of Agra, came to Ghumer and
convinced villagers to give their land on lease to start dairy farming and
other-allied activities. The company with the help of some local teshil
officials registered some farmers’ land into its name.
Subsequently, the then
district Collector RS Gopalan and the Revenue Divisional Commissioner (Northern
Division) had ordered for enquiry. And during the enquiry report had
established that some teshil officials were involved in the fraudulent land
transfer deal. They had also recommended strong action against officials.
Later, the Crime Branch
also conducted investigation into the matter and arrested a few people. But the
main culprit is still at large.
Samajwadi Party Balangir
district president Arun Mishra has demanded that the main culprit be
arrested and the land be restored to
farmers soon.
When asked, district Collector
M Muthukumar said the district administration would bear Chhabi’s medical
expense and extend other supports to him.
According to the VSS
Medical College Hospital sources Chhabi’s condition is stable now.
No comments:
Post a Comment