Over 32 farmers commit suicide in Marathwada

By NewsGram Staff Writer

Aurangabad: As many as 32 farmers who were under debt pressure and were coping with crop loss, committed suicide last week in Marathwada.

A revenue official told TOI that farmers were continuing to commit suicide in all districts of the region with the exception of Hingoli. The highest number of suicides are reportedly from Beed (179) followed by Osamanabad with 103 and Latur with 64.

Parbahani and Nanded are undergoing drought as well. Nanded has reported 115 farmer suicides this year. If Marathwada doesn't receive rain a few days, it will be declared drought-affected,officials said.

According to Marathwada Vikas Sangharsha Samiti, an NGO, 574 farmers committed suicide in 2013 and it rose to 628 the following year.

Dr Aziz Ahmed Qadri, a psychiatrist said farmers need to be counseled so that they do not take such a step. He said there are a lot many farmers who suffer from depression and have approached his hospital for treatment.