Farmers’ suicide: Accused Shakhawat arrested in Rajshahi

Police today arrested Shakhawat Hossain, operator of Barind Multipurpose Development Authority's (BMDA) deep tube-well in Ishwaripur village, in connection with deaths of two Santal farmers, who died by "suicide" after the deep tube-well operator refused to supply water to their lands for irrigation.

Following his arrest, BMDA removed Shakhawat from his post, its executive director told our Rajshahi staff correspondent.

The action was taken after a probe into the deaths of the two farmers, he said.

Shakhawat was arrested early today around 1 am from Chabbishnagar area under Rajshahi's Godagari upazila, reports our local staff correspondent quoting Officer-in-Charge of Godagari Police Station, Kamrul Islam.

Earlier on March 28, Shakhawat Hossain, who is being held responsible by the family of Santal farmer Abhinath Mardi for instigating his suicide, went into hiding, said police.

Locals said Shakhawat Hossain did not supply water to Abhinath's paddy field which was badly needed.