Farmer ends life in Chennur; Minister Vivek faces criticism from locals

A 60-year-old farmer, Gadala Mondi, died by suicide in Chennur due to mounting agricultural debts. Locals criticised Labour Minister Vivek Venkatswamy for unfulfilled promises to prevent flooding and demanded compensation and support for struggling farmers.

Adilabad: A 60-year-old farmer died by suicide at Mahankaliwada in Chennur town, reportedly unable to repay mounting agricultural loans, on Monday. The incident occurred in Chennur Assembly constituency represented by Labour Minister Vivek Venkatswamy.

According to family members and police, the farmer, identified as Gadala Mondi, consumed pesticide near a stream close to the town. A case has been registered and investigation is underway.

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Family members told reporters that Mondi had been under severe mental stress due to repeated crop losses. They said he was distressed over his inability to clear debts taken for cultivating cotton and paddy.

Meanwhile, local farmers recalled that Vivek Venkatswamy had promised during the elections to build a retaining wall along the Godavari river to prevent flooding if elected. The farmers criticised him for failing to address the issue after becoming a minister.

Upset by the recurring losses, the farmers questioned how many more lives must be lost before the government acts. They demanded compensation for crop losses and said they were already suffering due to the impact of adverse climatic conditions on their yields.