Chouhan links farmers’ suicides to internal security
By IANSTuesday, February 1, 2011
NEW DELHI - Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan Tuesday linked the issue of farmer’s suicides in his state to internal security.
The first promise of internal security is the satisfaction of the people, and in Madhya Pradesh’s 35,000 villages farmers are worst affected because of frost on crops, Chouhan said at the the chief ministers’ meeting on internal security convened by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh here.
Since Dec 15, 2010, over a dozen farmers have committed suicide in Madhya Pradesh and at least 36 farmers have attempted suicide, according to officials.
Referring to the villages where farmers and tribals are facing a severe crisis, the chief minister said: “Maoists in these areas can take advantage of the situation… so the union government should take immediate steps in this regard”.
Chouhan demanded a Rs.2,400 crore relief package from the prime minister for crops damaged in state, which had forced the farmers to end their life.
The chief minister also reiterated that he would go on fast from Feb 13 if his demands were not met.
