Token Issued, Paddy Not Procured: Farmer’s Death Sparks Massive Public Outrage

NH-353 Blocked for Five Hours at Jadamunda; Farmers Demand Compensation and Immediate Paddy Procurement Nuapada: Komna, June 24 A farmer who had received a procurement token for selling his paddy but was unable to get his produce lifted from the mandi for weeks allegedly ended his life under mounting financial pressure, triggering widespread public outrage in Nuapada district. The tragic incident led to a five-hour blockade of National Highway-353 at Jadamunda village under Komna block on Tuesday. Hundreds of villagers and farmers staged a protest by placing the deceased farmer’s body on the highway, bringing vehicular movement to a complete standstill and demanding justice for the bereaved family. The deceased was identified as Nepal Majhi (45) of Jadamunda village. According to family members, he had cultivated paddy on three acres and groundnut on two acres during the current Rabi season. Although he received a procurement token on May 30 to sell 36.96 quintals of paddy, his produce remained unsold even after 24 days. Family members alleged that Nepal Majhi had been under severe mental stress due to pending payments for tractor and threshing machine rentals, household expenses, and the educational needs of his three children. On Monday, he had participated in a farmers’ protest outside the Civil Supplies Office, demanding procurement of paddy from local mandis. After returning home, he reportedly became distressed over his worsening financial situation and allegedly consumed poison. He was rushed to the Nuapada District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) but succumbed while undergoing treatment. News of his death spread rapidly, sparking anger among farmers and villagers. Protesters demanded ₹20 lakh compensation for the family, full educational support for the deceased farmer’s children, and immediate lifting of paddy stocks lying unsold in mandis. The agitators alleged that despite the commencement of paddy procurement on May 25, thousands of bags of paddy are still lying in various mandis across the district, causing immense hardship to farmers. The road blockade was eventually withdrawn after administrative officials reached the spot and assured the protesters that their demands would be placed before the government. Sub-Collector Surmi Soren stated that an immediate assistance of ₹50,000 had been provided to the bereaved family from the Red Cross Fund. She further informed that three vehicles had been deployed to lift paddy from the Jadamunda mandi and that additional compensation would be considered after completion of the necessary procedures. The death of Nepal Majhi is not merely a personal tragedy for one family; it raises serious questions about the efficiency of the agricultural procurement system. The incident at Jadamunda has once again highlighted the hardships, uncertainty, and neglect faced by farmers despite assurances of support and timely procurement.