Holding Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik responsible for the death of drought-hit farmers in Odisha, the BJP on Thursday demanded a magisterial probe into farmers' suicides.
"The government should write to the Chief Justice of Odisha High Court to spare an executive magistrate to probe each and every suicide," senior BJP leader Bijoy Mohapatra said.
Mohapatra's reaction came following the report of district collectors that the farmers have committed suicide due to family disputes, alcoholism and other reasons, but not due to crop loss and loan burden.
Mohapatra said around 60 farmers have ended their lives due to crop loss after scanty rainfall this monsoon.
"Inquiry into suicide cases by collectors is biased. Only a judicial inquiry can unearth the truth," said the BJP leader.
