Tragic incident in rural Rajkot adds new chapter to Cotton MSP agitation

Rajkot

A 21-year-old youth Arvind Bhupatbhai Nagani who was taken to Civil hospital in Rajkot today afternoon with 90% burn injury was declared dead.

Arvind suffered burn injury due to self immolation at Vinchhiya agriculture market yard in rural Rajkot district.

“Arvind was critical when he was shifted here and he died after being treated briefly,” Rajkot Civil Hospital’s Head of Burns Department Sanjay Chauhan said.

“Arvind Nagani (21), a resident of Dharai town in Surendranagar district, committed suicide today by immolating himself at Vinchhiya town marketing yard premises in Rajkot district,” Vinchhiya police station sub-inspector R J Ram said.

“As per primary investigation, Arvind committed suicide after failing to get higher Minimum Support Price (MSP) for his cotton crop,” Ram said, adding that a probe is on to ascertain the exact cause of the incident.

Initially, Arvind was given primary treatment at a nearby hospital and later referred to the Rajkot civil hospital for further treatment, he said.

Farmers in Gujarat have been agitating since the last month demanding an increase in MSP of cotton and groundnut crops.

Victim youth belonged to Dharai village in Chotila belt. He was married.

Rajkot based Gujarati daily Akila quotes its reporter Pintu Shah to report that Nagani first went to market yard’s toilet area and consumed pesticide and then committed self immolation using kerosene and matchstick. He shouted slogans that Cotton prices should be increased, farmers should get justice. Farmers and others rushed to the spot and tried to control fire.

Vinchhiya belt of rural Rajkot, which has good presence of Congress supporters influenced by former MP Kunvarjibhai Bavalia is going to observe bandh on Thursday. RSS affiliated Bharatiya Kisan Sangh which is the largest farmer organization of Gujarat has given call of boycott of Ravi Krushi Mahotsav. Congress party has already declared that it will show black flags to ministers in Ravi Krushi Mahotsav events. Minister Nitin Patel’s visit to Rajkot in this connection will be watched out.Patel will be in Rajkot district tomorrow for inauguration of Saras fair in Rajkot city and Ravi Krushi Mahotsav function in Jasdan. BJP has according to another news report moved its former Jasdan MLA for damage control.

-With inputs from PTI