Daijiworld Media Network - Chikkamagaluru (SP)

Chikkamagaluru, Aug 18: A young farmer, frustrated at the undue delay in receiving compensation amount relating to suicide committed by his father who was overburdened by debt, consumed poison in the presence of former minister, C T Ravi. The incident occurred at Devanur in Kadur taluk of the district.

The farmer, D B Lakshmeesha (36) stands admitted in a hospital in Shivamogga in serious condition. Lakshmeesha's father, Bhootaiah, had ended his life last year, because of huge debt and crop failure. The family is yet to receive compensation amount.

When Ravi visited Devanur in the afternoon, Lakshmeesha approached him and expressed his anger at the long wait for money. When the MLA promised to hasten the payment, he accused Ravi of repeating this promise frequently. Saying that he is prepared to lay down his life if it benefits farmers in the future, Lakshmeesha consumed poison. It is said that Ravi told zilla panchayat member, Vijayakumar, to take the farmer by auto rickshaw and admit him in the hospital, before leaving for some other destination.

C T Ravi

Lakshmeesha was thereafter taken to Shivamogga where his condition continues to be critical.

The entire area around Devanur is dry, and the lift irrigation project which was expected to satiate the demand for water is pending for decades. A number of families from here have migrated to other places in search of water. Millet sown by Lakshmeesha in his land has gone dry, and this had complicated the crisis situation he was already facing, sources said.