Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Jan 30: Residents of Bonura village of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district today protested against the administration after a local farmer attempted suicide by consuming poison as Revenue Department is seeking land from him for construction of a circular road.
A local, Firdous Ahmad, told Excelsior that the farmer identified as Munawar Ahmad Rather in an attempt to end his life consumed poison this morning at his home. “The farmer is resisting Revenue Department over his land. The department wants his land for the construction of Circular Road,” he said.
As the news about farmer’s attempt to suicide spread in the village, dozens of residents including women took came out of their houses and staged anti-government protest. The protesters blocked Pulwama-Shopian road, resulting in traffic halt.
The protesters said the Circular Road construction project was approved in 2004 and later the Deputy Commissioner also approved its map. “The road is straight but recently the Revenue Department changed its map and as a result the land of Munawar is coming under it,” said the protesters, adding: “it is ironical that they on the behest of an influential landlord are changing its map.”
The angry protesters, who had erected barricades on the Pulwama-Shopian road, demanded a probe into the map change. However despite hours-long closure of road and protest no official rushed to spot to pacify the protesters.
Meanwhile, the farmer, who attempted suicide by consuming poison, is currently under treatment at SMHS Hospital here. “He is in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) ward and his condition is said to be critical,” said Firdous, the local resident.
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