Nagpur,
Oct 10: As many as 21 farmers in Yavatmal district of Maharashtra have
died allegedly after inhaling poisonous pesticides. Around 50 farmers have died
so far and more than 2,000 fell critically ill in Vidarbha and Marathwada
regions after inhaling pesticides used for controlling pest attack on cotton
crop. According to sources, the incident took place in many parts of the
Vidarbha region during months of August and September. Till date, not a single
official visited the affected villages and interacted with the farmers and
their families. Many farmers are admitted in GMCH and IGMCH and other
government hospitals but no official has taken any initiative to help farmers.
The National Human Right Commission (NHRC) has issued notices to the chief
secretary, government of Maharashtra and the secretary, Union Ministry of
Agriculture and Farmers' welfare calling for a detailed report within four
weeks in this regard. Mr Kishor Tiwari, president of Vasantrao Naik Shetkari
Swavalamban, has termed the entire incident as colossal loss of the system and
demanded blanket ban on sale and use of chemical pesticides and advocated use of
herbal-based pesticides. UNI
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