HALDWANI, Uttarakhand – Tension is brewing in the hills of Uttarakhand as farmers’ groups intensify their call for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the tragic suicide of a local farmer in Haldwani. The incident, which has sent shockwaves through the agrarian community, has exposed deep-seated grievances over land disputes, crop failures, and alleged administrative negligence.
The farmer, identified as Ramesh Chandra, a 52-year-old resident of a nearby village, was found hanging in his modest home last week. His family alleges that mounting debts from unpaid crop loans and a prolonged battle over disputed farmland pushed him to this extreme step. Local police have registered a case under routine procedures, but distraught relatives claim the investigation is superficial and biased toward influential landowners.
Protests erupted outside the Haldwani district collectorate on Monday, with hundreds of farmers blocking major roads and raising slogans against state authorities. Leaders from the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) and other outfits have submitted a formal memorandum demanding CBI intervention, citing past instances where local probes failed to deliver justice. ‘This is not an isolated case; it’s a symptom of systemic failure,’ said BKU spokesperson Rajendra Singh, pointing to rising farmer suicides across the state.
Government officials, however, have dismissed the demands as politically motivated. District Magistrate Anita Yadav assured that a thorough magisterial inquiry is underway and promised swift action against any foul play. Yet, skepticism runs high among villagers, who recall similar assurances in previous cases that fizzled out without accountability.
As the sun sets over the lush Kumaon valleys, the farmer’s death serves as a stark reminder of the struggles faced by Uttarakhand’s backbone – its farming community. With monsoon rains approaching, the pressure is on authorities to address these cries before they swell into a larger movement. Will the call for a CBI probe be heeded, or will it join the list of unfulfilled demands echoing in the hills?