The probe committee formed over the suicide of two Santal farmers in Rajshahi’s Godagari Upazila has completed its investigation.
The committee submitted the report to Agriculture Secretary Md Sayedul Islam on Sunday.
Md Abu Zubair Hossain Bablu, a joint secretary at the ministry and also the head of the committee, told Dhaka Tribune on Monday that they had found some irregularities in the supply of irrigation water.
He said that there was no documentation of water supply either.
The report does not shed light on the reason behind the suicide of the farmers, according to sources.
Also Read - Santal farmers’ suicide: Deep tube-well operator arrested
On March 23, Rabi Mardi, 27, and his cousin Abhinath Mardi, 36, consumed poison while standing beside the deep tube-well at Ishwaripur village after not getting irrigation water for their land.
Abhinath died at his home later the same day, while Rabi died while undergoing treatment at a local hospital on March 25.
Later, Abhinath’s wife Rojina Hembrom filed a case over incitement to commit suicide.
Soon after, the Agriculture Ministry formed a four-member panel to probe into the deaths.
Police arrested a deep tube-well operator of the Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA) on charges of inciting the suicide on Sunday.
Sakhawat Hossain was held from the Chabbish Nagar area. He had been on the run since the filing of the case.
Local growers have alleged that Sakhawat was depriving small farmers and providing irrigation water to farmers of his choice for bribes.
