NHRC notice to TN govt over death of 106 farmers

The National Human Rights Commission has issued a notice to Tamil Nadu government over reported death of 106 farmers during a period of one month in the state, and sought a detailed report in the matter within six weeks.
The Commission, in a statement today observed that there is a need for sincere implementation of the laws and policies made for the farming sector especially, the small farmers.
The farmers are required to be brought out of the agrarian crisis, which have been adversely affecting them since long, it said.
"It has issued a notice to the Chief Secretary, government of Tamil Nadu calling for a detailed report in the matter within six weeks. He has been asked to also inform about the steps taken or proposed to be taken by the state government," the NHRC said.

The Commission has also observed that despite being the most crucial and significant section of the society, the farmers are "feeling neglected" by the policy makers.
"The issue is not only related to the right to life and dignity of the victims but also indicative of failure and inaction by the state agencies," it said.

Reportedly, it has not rained and the level of the ground water has also shrunk at many places in the state. The water bodies are also drying. The poor farmers, who depend upon their crops, are the most vulnerable section of the society and they always become victims of various vagaries, the Commission said.

"A Tamil daily reported on January 3 that 83 farmers died of heart attack. There have also been instances of suicides by farmers. One farmer, Panneerselvam, aged 53 years committed suicide in Nagapattinam district and another farmer Murugan, aged 50 years took the extreme step in Viluppuram district. The same newspaper reported today that the number of deaths has reached 106," the NHRC statement said.
"According to an English newspaper, four farmers died of cardiac arrest in the state on January 3. One of the victim, Murugaiyan, 70 years from Nagapattinam district collapsed at his farm and died," it added.

As per reports, the most affected districts are Thiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Viluppuram, Pudukottai, Ariyalur, Cuddalore and Thanjavur, the statement said.