A suicide every five hours. This is the reality in Vidharbha, Maharashtra, where 72 farmers have committed suicide in the past 15 days.

The figures were released on Wednesday by Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti, a non-governmental organisation working for the cause of farmers.

The Samiti stated that 828 farmers had committed suicide between June 1, 2005 and September 5, 2006.

The special package announced by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh [Images] during his visit to the region on June 30 and July 1, has yet to provide the much-needed relief to farmers, they claimed.

The Samiti plans to launch an agitation from September 15 to press for release of new crop loan and implementation of various schemes meant for farmers in the district.