Farmer succumbs to burn injuries in self immolation bid; Govt announces compensation

Minister in-charge of Mandya district N. Cheluvarayaswamy has announced a compensation of ₹5 lakh to the family of a farmer from Moodanahalli village in K.R. Pet taluk, who succumbed to the burn injuries he suffered during a self-immolation bid in Mandya.

The farmer, Manjegowda, 55, tried to end his life by setting himself on fire after dousing himself with petrol in Mandya on Monday. Though he was admitted to Victoria Hospital in Bengaluru for treatment, he succumbed to burns, officials said.

Mr. Cheluvarayaswamy, who is also Agriculture Minister, visited Victoria Hospital on Wednesday and paid his respects to the deceased farmer while offering condolences to his family members.

According to a statement here, Manjegowda had been reportedly cultivating land on Survey Number 103 of Mallenahalli in K.R. Pet taluk belonging to to the Forest Department. As the land fell under the Forest Department’s jurisdiction, the staff of the Department had informed Manjegowda that cultivation on the land was not permitted.

Subsequently, Manjegowda had submitted an appeal to the government that he had a family of 10 members and did not have any other land. However, upon verification of records, the statement said it was found that 4 acres and one gunta of land had been registered under Manjegowda’s name.

The family members of Manjegowda also informed the Minister that the deceased had taken a crop loan of ₹3.5 lakh from Karnataka Grameena Bank in August 2014 and presently ₹7,79,13 remained unpaid.

The Minister, who announced a compensation of ₹5 lakh after learning this, also assured the grieving family that he would discuss the issue with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and try to provide them additional compensation.

With regard to the land dispute with the Forest Department, Mr. Cheluvarayaswamy informed the family members that a joint survey would be conducted. If the survey found that the land did not belong to the Forest Department, the land would be granted to the farmer’s family, he said.

Deputy Commissioner of Mandya Kumar and other officials were present on the occasion.

Mourned

Meanwhile, JD (S) youth wing leader Nikhil Kumaraswamy visited Victoria Hospital in Bengaluru on Wednesay and offered condolences to the bereaved family.

(Those having suicidal tendencies can call Arogya Sahayavani helpline at 104.).