2 farmers’ death in Rajshahi: Charges pressed against BMDA operator

Police pressed charges of provoking the deaths of the two Rajshahi farmers by suicide against Shakhawat Hossain, operator of a deep tube well of Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA).

Although the charge sheets of two cases were submitted to the courts last month, it was revealed today (May 12, 2022), reports our Rajshahi staff correspondent quoting Sub-inspector Md Mahfuzur Rahman, also the investigation officer of the farmers' deaths related cases.

The charge sheets were yet to be accepted in the court.

"Police found truth in the allegations brought against the deep tube-well operator," said the SI.

And the autopsy reports of the bodies corroborated the allegations, he added.

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Death of 2 farmers from drinking pesticides: Probe body begins investigation in Rajshahi

On March 23, two Santal farmers -- cousins Abhinath Mardi and Robi Mardi of Nimghutu village of Godagari upazila -- drank pesticide while standing on their land at Issoripur village.

They drank poison to protest Sakhawat's refusal to provide them with irrigation water.

Abhinath died at his home on the following night while Robi breathed his last while undergoing treatment at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital on March 25.

Abhinath's wife Rozina Hembrom and Robi's brother Sushil Mardi filed two cases at Godagari Police Station on March 25 and 26.

They accused Shakhawat of provoking them to die by suicide, by not providing them water and asking them to drink poison.

Meanwhile, police arrested Sakhawat on April 3, 2022. A court on April 24 denied his bail.

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Farmers’ suicide: Tube-well operator held