Stern action for irrigation water supply disruption: secretary

Stern action will be taken if any negligence is found in supply of irrigation water, the lack of which suffers farmers the most, Agriculture Secretary Md Sayedul Islam said today.

He made the comment as two farmers committed suicide last week in Rajshahi's Godagari upazila.

The family members of the farmers alleged that the two took their life for the negligence of the local well operator to supply water to the farmland in time.

The secretary said a probe committee formed on March 27 after the incident has already gone to the spot and started finding out the real facts and identify the culprits.

"Strict administrative action will be taken if anyone is found responsible for the negligence in providing irrigation water."

Apart from that, the police are also investigating the incident, he said. "They will take criminal action."

The secretary spoke in a meeting at the secretariat to analyse the progress of the implementation of the annual development plan.

Two farmers of the Santal community—36-year-old Abhinath Mardi and his cousin 27-year-old Robi Mardi—drank pesticides standing beside a deep tube-well in Issoripur village in Godagari on March 23.

Abhinath died later that night while Robi passed away on March 25.

Abhinath's wife Rozina Hembrom filed a suicide provocation case with Godagari Police Station on Friday night, accusing the well operator, Sakhawat Hossain.

Rozina alleged that Sakhawat did not supply water to Abhinath's field for 12 straight days, which was badly needed that time.