9 debt-ridden farmers commit suicide in 2 days in Vidarbha

Nagpur, Feb 7 (UNI) Nine debt-ridden farmers committed suicide in last two days in Vidarbha region, Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti (VJAS), a voluntary organisation working among farmers, today said.

The nine farmers, who ended their lives, included three from Yavatmal district, two from Wardha and one each from Nagpur, Washim, Gondia and Amravati districts, a VJAS release here said.

With this, the number of farmers who have taken the extreme step in 2007 has touched 88, including 18 this month, said the release, adding that 70 suicides had occurred in January itself.

The VJAS claimed that over 1,400 farmers had committed suicide in 2006. Meanwhile, office bearers of VJAS would meet top government functionaries in New Delhi to demand a better deal for farmers in the region, the release added.

UNI