MP: Over 15,000 people associated with farming ended lives in last 13 years

The BJP has been ruling Madhya Pradesh since December, 2003.

Bhopal, July 20: The Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly was informed that over 15,000 "farmers and people associated with farming" have committed suicide in the state in the last thirteen years ending 2016.

"As many as 15,129 farmers and the people associated with farming have killed themselves in the last 13 years ending December, 2016," Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Bhupendra Singh said in response to a question raised by Leader of Opposition Ajay Singh, who had sought to know the exact number of suicides by farmers during 2004 to 2016.

Singh said his reply was based on the figures available with the State Crime Record Bureau (SCRB).

The BJP has been ruling Madhya Pradesh since December, 2003.

Citing the data, the minister said the disturbing trend has been on a decline since 2005 when 1,248 such suicides had occurred.

While 1,638 such cases were recorded in 2004, the figures for subsequent years are (bracket mentions the year): 1,248 (2005), 1,375 (2006), 1,263 (2007), 1,379 (2008), 1,395 (2009), 1,237 (2010), 1,326 (2011), 1,172 (2012), 1,090 (2013), 826 (2014), 581 (2015) and 599 (2016), stated the reply.

Madhya Pradesh was on the boil last month after cultivators in various parts of the state held protests for their demands including a complete loan waiver and a better remuneration for agri produce.

The state government on Wednesday clarified that six persons were killed and as many were injured in the police action during the farmers' stir in Mandsaur district on June 6.

PTI