Uttarakhand’s Haldwani is at the epicenter of a burgeoning crisis following the devastating suicide of farmer Ramesh Chandra. What began as a personal tragedy has rapidly evolved into a public outcry, with agrarian leaders demanding nothing short of a CBI-led investigation to probe the circumstances leading to his death.
Details emerging from the village paint a grim picture. Chandra, burdened by loans exceeding Rs 8 lakh and embroiled in a decade-long land row with a powerful contractor, reportedly left behind a family of five. Eyewitnesses describe how his fields lay barren after last season’s hailstorm, amplifying his desperation amid unresponsive bank officials and predatory lenders.
The call for CBI involvement gained traction during a high-voltage rally on Wednesday, where over 1,000 farmers converged, halting traffic on the vital Haldwani-Nainital highway. Union chief Harish Rawat likened the case to national flashpoints like the Lakhimpur Kheri violence, urging central agencies to step in before local biases derail justice.
State response has been measured but firm. A senior police officer revealed forensic teams have collected evidence, including the suicide note, while the revenue department initiated a parallel land dispute resolution. Yet, trust deficit looms large; past probes in similar suicides have rarely led to convictions, fueling perceptions of a cover-up.
Beyond the immediate drama, this episode spotlights Uttarakhand’s fragile rural economy. Government schemes like PM-KISAN offer some succor, but experts call for holistic reforms – from crop insurance overhauls to anti-usury laws. As Chandra’s kin awaits closure, the nation watches if Haldwani’s plea will pierce the bureaucratic veil or fade into oblivion.