Highway blocked following farmer’s death in Nuapada
Nuapada: A traffic blockade lasting four hours took place on National Highway 353 in Nuapada district following the alleged suicide of a farmer distressed by delays in paddy procurement. Farmers and family members were demanding compensation and action against the officials responsible for the crisis.
Nepal Majhi, a 45-year-old resident of Jadmunda village in Komna block, allegedly consumed pesticide on Monday and passed away that evening while undergoing treatment at the District Headquarters Hospital. His family and fellow farmers claim he was under severe mental stress because his paddy remained unsold even though he had received a procurement token nearly a month prior.
According to family members, Majhi had cultivated paddy on 2.75 acres of land during the Rabi season and obtained a token on May 30 to sell 36.96 quintals of the crop.
However, even after 23 days, his produce had not been lifted from the Jadmunda mandi (market yard), where over 60,000 bags of paddy are reportedly lying unsold.
Farmers stated that Majhi was under pressure to repay debts and outstanding dues related to farming machinery, labor, and household expenses, in addition to bearing the cost of his three children’s education. On Monday, he had participated in a protest outside the District Civil Supplies Officer’s office, demanding the immediate procurement of his paddy.
After returning home, he allegedly consumed pesticide and was taken to the hospital, where he died during treatment. Following the post-mortem examination, protesters placed his body on the highway at Jadmunda Chowk, causing a traffic blockade.
Later, senior district officials—including Sub-Collector Surmi Soren and Additional SP Ranjit Nayak—held discussions with the protesters. The protesters submitted an eight-point charter of demands, which included compensation of â‚ą20 lakh, a government job for a family member, a subsistence allowance for Majhi’s wife, and educational support for the children.
The blockade was lifted after officials assured them that the demands would be conveyed to the government and provided â‚ą50,000 from the Red Cross fund to cover funeral expenses.
Nuapada District Collector Madhusudan Das expressed concern over the farmer’s death but dismissed allegations that Majhi had committed suicide due to issues regarding paddy procurement. The Collector stated, “A token valid until June 30 had been issued to the farmer for the sale of his 30 quintals of paddy. He consumed poison on June 22, eight days before the token expired. Preliminary investigations indicate that he took this extreme step due to a domestic dispute.”
This incident has heightened concerns regarding delays in paddy procurement in Nuapada, where thousands of sacks of paddy are piled up at procurement centers, raising fears of spoilage with the onset of the monsoon.
