Salem: Farmer ends life as turmeric crop dries up
Police said Ramalingam, 56, from Karuttupalayam near Kodumudi in Erode district, had cultivated turmeric crop in his 3.5 acres of land.
Salem: A 56-year-old farmer from Erode district committed suicide by consuming pesticide on Sunday night as he was depressed after his turmeric crop cultivated in 3.5 acres got dried without water.
Police said Ramalingam, 56, from Karuttupalayam near Kodumudi in Erode district, had cultivated turmeric crop in his 3.5 acres of land. As rains failed, water was not released from the Kalingarayan canal leaving several farmers in lurch in the district.
Usually every year, water from the canal is opened for agriculture from June 16. However due to insufficient water, the canal was opened on August 12, but was stopped within a few days.
Ramalingam, who lost hope as his crops began to dry without water, consumed pesticide at his residence on Sunday evening. He was immediately rushed to the government hospital in a serious condition, where he died without responding to treatment at midnight.
Following this, farmers and political party members gathered at the hospital demanding to release water immediately from the canal. They also sought a compensation of Rs 30 lakh and a government job to a member of Ramalingam’s family.
Though officials held talks, the family members and protestors refused to receive the body of the deceased, until their demands were fulfilled.