Ranchi: Farmers in Chhattarpur block in Jharkhand's Palamau district have started a signature campaign seeking "mercy killing" from President Pratibha Patil after a drought for the fourth successive year and the government’s alleged apathy to their woes.
"In the 2006 drought, farmers sold their bullock cart, goats and other things. In 2007, we sold our piece of land. In the 2008 drought, we were forced to sell the jewellery of our wives. Now what should we sell in the 2009 drought. Should we sell ourselves? We may have been deprived to lead a respectable life but we should be allowed a respectable death," reads the four-page letter, a copy of which is with IANS.
Devanand Mahto, one of the farmers who launched the campaign in Chhattarpur, said 2,000 farmers have already signed the letter. "We will get the letter signed by 5,000 farmers, then it will be sent to the president."
"We are organising meetings in villages and mobilising people to raise their voices. Farmers are fed up of the successive droughts and are voluntarily coming forward to put their signatures and thumb impressions on the letter," he said.
"The letter will also be forwarded to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Chief Justice of India K.G. Balakrishnan and Governor of the state Syed Sibte Razi. After sending the letter we will wait for the response," he said.
The letter said: "Chhattarpur block farmers are facing successive drought since 2006. This area lacks basic facilities like irrigation, health facilities, food security. Our crops were destroyed due to scanty rainfall and we did not get crop insurance money."
Besides drawing attention to basic things unavailable in the area, the letter also expresses unhappiness over the indifferent attitude of the government officials towards pending irrigation projects.
A farmer, requesting anonymity, said: "We are fed up of red tapism in the government machinery. We do not get any facilities to help deal with the successive drought."
Reacting to reports of the signature campaign, Governor Razi said: "The government is serious about addressing the concerns of the farmers and no one will be allowed to die due to the drought."
Chhattarpur block, one of the most backward areas of Jharkhand, is facing a drought-like situation this year too. The monsoon is yet to arrive in the state.
Palamau region, which falls under the rain shadow area, has been declared drought-hit for five years.
The maximum temperature in Palamau has been recorded at 46.2 degrees Celsius this year.
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