Two debt-ridden farmers committed suicide in Madhya Pradesh's Balaghat and Barwani districts since Tuesday evening, taking to seven the number of such deaths in a week in the BJP-ruled state.
The reports of the latest deaths came on Wednesday when Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan met the families of six farmers killed in police firing during an agitation last week for debt relief and better crop prices.
"The accused will be punished…Today, I am very pained and emotional," Chouhan said after handing over Rs 1 crore each as aid to the kin of the deceased.
The June 6 police firing at Mandsaur had sparked violent protests in the state with several vehicles and buildings being torched.
The state government also said on Wednesday that Justice (retired) JK Jain will head a one-member judicial commission to probe the Mandsaur police firing.
However, the Opposition continued its protest. Congress leaders demonstrated in Bhopal, and Guna MP Jyotiraditya Scindia addressed farmers at several places.
He attacked both Chouhan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the current crisis. The police have filed 46 cases over the firing, but none against any police officer.
A number of political leaders, including Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, have not been allowed to visit farm unrest epicentre Mandsaur where curfew restrictions have been lifted but prohibitory orders remain.
The unrest does not auger well for the BJP, which swept to power in Madhya Pradesh 14 years ago, and faces elections next year.
As protests spread from Mandsaur, Chouhan had held a 28-hour fast for 'peace'. He ended the fast on Sunday.
The police said Ramesh Basene (42) ended his life by drinking pesticide at Ballarpur village in Balaghat district on Wednesday morning. Basene's wife Jankibai said that he was worried, being unable to repay a loan of Rs 1.5 lakh. Authorities, however, didn't confirm whether indebtedness led to the suicide.
Another farmer, Shomla (60), allegedly committed suicide by drinking pesticide at Pisnawal in Barwani district on Tuesday evening.
The police said Shomla's wife said he had taken a loan of Rs 2 lakh from a private lender and he also owed Rs 1 lakh to a bank. He was finding it difficult to repay the loans, she told police.
(With PTI inputs)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Shivraj Singh Chouhan")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}