NHRC issues notice to TN govt on farmers' suicides

The National Human Rights Commission has issued a notice to Tamil Nadu authorities over the reported deaths of 106 farmers within the span of a month.

NHRC has taken suo motu cognizance of media reports regarding deaths of 106 farmers during a period of one month in Tamil Nadu which is a matter of concern.

It has issued a notice to the chief secretary calling for a detailed report on the issue within six weeks. The chief secretary has been asked to also inform about the steps taken or proposed to be taken by the state government.

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.

Noting that the failure of a crop not only affects farmers financially but also puts them under stress and mental agony, the notice quoted media reports that claimed that while 83 farmers had died of heart attack, many others had committed suicide.