In a distressing incident that has drawn attention to delayed grievance redressal, a young man from Ganjam district consumed pesticide and attempted suicide outside the District Collector’s office on Tuesday after receiving no resolution to his long-pending land-related complaint.
Jagabandhu Pradhan, a resident of Gaidasingi village near Buguda, had approached the Revenue Inspector earlier over a dispute concerning land records (jamabandi). He later escalated the matter by filing complaints against the concerned officials.
On Tuesday, he came to the Ganjam Collectorate in Chhatrapur hoping for action. When no decision was forthcoming, and his wait yielded no results, the frustrated youth reportedly consumed pesticide while sitting on the office premises, sources said.
Emergency response teams rushed him first to Chhatrapur Sub-Divisional Hospital. As his condition deteriorated, he was promptly referred to MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Brahmapur for advanced treatment. He remains under medical care.
The incident has once again highlighted the anguish of citizens who feel unheard by the administrative system, particularly in revenue and land matters that affect livelihoods.
