Mumbai: May 1 was celebrated as Maharashtra Day across the state. However, for five families it’s not meant to be that. There are reports that five farmers including one woman farmer have committed suicide in the Vidarbha region of the state in 24 hours. Three farmers were from Yavatmal, one each from Washim and Amravati districts. According to statistics released by a farmer advocacy group, Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti (VJAS), the five farmers — like thousands of other farmers — were waiting for relief aid declared in December 2011 by Maharashtra Chief Minister but hadn’t received anything till date.
About 332 farmers have killed themselves in Maharashtra since January this year.
