PTI REPORTS TODAY-11 more Vidarbha farmers commit suicide; Feb toll at 77

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11 more Vidarbha farmers commit suicide; Feb toll at 77

http://www.outlookindia.com/pti_print.asp?id=454223

Nagpur, Feb 27 (PTI) Suicide by farmers in the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra continued unabated with 11 more farmers allegedly ending their lives in the last two days, an activist group said today.
Two farmers each from Amravati, Akola, Yavatmal and Washim districts and one each from Chandrapur, Buldhana and Wardha ended their lives, taking the total number of farmer suicides in February to 77, said Vidarbha Janandolan Samiti, which claims to keep track of such cases in the cotton belt.
In January, 70 farmers had ended their lives, taking the toll this year to 147. Those who committed suicide were tribals, Dalits and from backward classes, the Samiti said in a release.
Forced recovery of loans from farmers is the main reason for these suicides, the Samiti alleged.
The Prime Minsiter, during his visit to the region in July last year, had announced a relief package of over Rs 3,700 crore, but the step did not stop the suicides.