Post News Network
Sambalpur/Burla, Dec 21: Two more farmers ended their lives in western Orissa in the last 24 hours reportedly over debt burden and crop loss.
The deceased were identified as Netra Uchhab Juadi (35), son of Shradhhakar Juadi of Vikampur under Shasan police limits in Sambalpur, and Paresh Khadia (35), son of Gurubaru Khadia of Babajimath under Atabira police limits in Bargarh district. Both died at Burla-based VSS Institute of Medical Science and Research. Uchhab died Monday while Paresh was declared dead late Sunday night. The bodies were handed over to their families.
The farmers committed suicide due to mental stress caused by pest attack on their crops and debt burden, their families claimed and lodged a complaint with Burla outpost police. The police registered two cases and started investigation.
Meanwhile, resentment was brewing among the villagers as none of the district officials turned up to probe the matter. They demanded a thorough probe and government assistance to the bereaved families.
According to reports, Uchhab raised paddy over his four acres of land this year after borrowing money from some people to procure fertilizer, pesticide and seeds. Besides, he also took a loan of Rs 16,000 from a private financer and a certain amount from a cooperative bank. However, he suffered crop loss due to poor rainfall and pest attack on his crops. Uchhab went to his paddy field Sunday and decided to end his life after seeing the precarious condition of his crops. He consumed poison the same night. The family members rushed him to the Burla hospital where he died.
Similarly, Paresh had cultivated paddy on a patch of five acres of land on share-cropping basis. He hired a power tiller and borrowed Rs 30,000 from a private firm to buy fertilizer and insecticide. Despite this, he didn’t get the expected harvest which compelled him to take the extreme step. He was under pressure to repay the loans and finally consumed poison Sunday afternoon. Paresh was rushed to the hospital in critical condition where he succumbed late Sunday night.
Earlier, Aditya Kharsel (24), son of Sagar Kharsel of Halanda under Bhatli police limits in Bargarh district committed suicide December 14 over similar reasons, a report said. PNN
