Yavatmal pesticide deaths 'genocide', says chief of government mission to stop farmer suicides

The chief of the Vasantrao Naik Shetkari Swavalamban Sanstha (VNSS), Kishore Tiwari, has said that the death of farmers in Maharashtra's Yavatmal due to pesticide poisoning was a "genocide"committed by multi-national companies (MNCs) and the state government.

"I appeal to the state administration to stop using harmful products as an immediate solution to put an end to farmer fatalities. Farmers, agriculture department and pesticide companies need to take note of the seriousness of this issue and if the state does not ban such toxic and chemical pesticides, then there will be a rise in farmer fatalities due to these chemical fertilisers," Kishore Tiwari told the media here, on Monday.

Addressing a press conference in Nagpur, Kishore Tiwari alleged that the vested interests of the regulatory officials in the agriculture department and administration's negligence in this matter are the reason behind these unfortunate deaths."These farmers failed to take requisite precautions and used the toxic insecticide.

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Insufficient knowledge of how to use it has resulted in their tragic death," said Tiwari.Tiwari said they would pursue the Chief Minister for a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the victims.

He added that the MNCs were accountable for this incident and added that there should be a court trial in connection with this matter.