Farmer dies a day after self-immolation

Mahoba, Jan 29 (PTI) The farmer, who sustained seriousinjuries in a self-immolation bid died during treatment here,officials said today.

Babu Kushwaha (35), who sustained serious injuries in aself-immolation bid during an agitation yesterday, succumbedto injuries at Jhansi Medical College late last night, theysaid.

Farmers of over half a dozen villages, who were on dharnasince January 18, demanding higher compensation for theirland, which will be affected due to the plan to raise Kabraiembankment''s height.

When the SDM Mahoba Sadar, Brijraj Yadav and TehsildarRajesh Kumar Shukla went to remove the demonstrators, Kushwahaset himself ablaze after sprinkling petrol over himself.

Agitated with the incident, the villagers blockedKanpur-Sagar National Highway at Hamirpur Chowki yesterday,which continued till this afternoon.

"The road blockade was lifted after district magistrateV V Pant announced an ex-gratia of rupees five lakh toKushwaha''s kin and contractual job for his wife," they said.

The DM also assured of a magisterial inquiry for athrough probe of the incident, even as construction work inthe area has been stopped.