Date:27/05/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/05/27/stories/2007052712030500.htm

Karnataka - Bidar

Sugarcane farmer commits suicide

Staff Correspondent

Bidar: Dejected that his sugarcane crop was not bought by the sugar factories, a 30-year-old farmer allegedly committed suicide in Mangalagi in Humnabad taluk on Saturday. According to Government figures, he is the 43rd farmer to commit suicide in the district this year.

Kashinath Basalingappa Chanakera consumed poison and died in his house at around 4 p.m. He leaves behind his wife and three children. He had grown sugarcane on all three acres of land that he owned. He was a share-holding member of the Bidar Sahakari Sakkare Karakhane.

Enraged by the continuing suicides and by the alleged Government apathy towards this, farmers of Mangalagi blocked the Mumbai-Hyderabad national highway. Hundreds of vehicles were stranded on the road. Additional Superintendent of Police G.M. Yatnur was seen negotiating with the protestors. They did withdraw the "rasta roko" till late evening. A case has been registered with the Mannaekhalli police station.