Bhubaneswar: Family members of Brunda Sahu, who had committed suicide last month following crop loss, on Thursday alleged that state government had prepared a false report on his death.

On Wednesday, agriculture minister Damodar Rout said the reason behind the Bargarh farmer's suicide was still unclear as the inquiry report submitted to him by the district collector had cited no specific reasons. He even said Sahu had not taken any loan from any bank.

The minister had also said the family members came to know that Sahu had set his crops on fire from television. The minister, however, admitted that death of a farmer always pained him.

Reacting sharply to this, Sahu's daughter Priti said: "The district collector and the police superintendent did not inquire into the issue properly. The officials did not even discuss the financial aspect of his suicide. They only asked us a few questions and left."

She further said: "My father had taken a hand loan of Rs 5 lakh from various people as he could not arrange loans from banks. The people of entire Odisha know that he had committed suicide out of stress. If the government does not admit this what can we do?"

The district administration also refuted the allegation that Sahu committed suicide because of loan burden.

On Thursday, the issue acquired a political twist with BJP members burning the effigy of Rout, accusing him of being insensitive to the cause of farmers. "Is it a crime on the part of Burnda to take a hand loan? The people, who are in power, should refrain from making such irresponsible statements," said Union petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Senior Congress MLA Naba Das said: "This government is insensitive to farmers. They should admit farmer deaths. We will raise the issue in the Assembly."

Reacting to this, Rout said: "The BJP is trying to politicise the issue. Dharmendra Pradhan has no moral authority to talk about farmer suicides. We will soon expose them."

Surprise check

Police booked bike riders for not wearing helmets and realised around Rs 1 lakh in fines from the offenders in Paradip. The penalty was collected acording to provisions of the Orissa Motor Vehicle Act, 1988. The helmet checking drive would be conducted daily.