Bhograi: A 65-year-old farmer of Ganeshwarpur under Bhograi block in Balasore district was found dead on a roadside near Rupsa after he went missing a few days ago, reportedly over a mounting debt burden.
The deceased was identified as Rabindra Nath Sahu.
According to family members, Sahu had borrowed several lakhs from a man in Dehurda village a few years ago for undertaking farming. He could not repay the debt as he suffered heavy losses.
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Under pressure of the steep compound interest and alleged harassment by the moneylender, Sahu reportedly mortgaged his house and 35 decimals of land without the knowledge of his family members. As the primary breadwinner for 13 family members, he was unable to bear the financial and mental strain, his son Bhaskar alleged. Later, Sahu went missing from home September 18. Unable to trace him, his family members lodged a complaint at Bhograi police station.
While searching for him, the family members learnt that Sahu was lying unconscious on a roadside near Rupsa and was rescued by some locals. Sahu was rushed the district headquarters hospital (DHH), Balasore, by the police. However, the doctors at the DHH declared him dead on arrival.
On being informed, family members and villagers placed his body outside the alleged moneylender’s house, demanding compensation and the return of Sahu’s mortgaged land.
As the matter escalated, a police team led by Bhograi inspector-in-charge (IIC) Rohit Kumar Bal reached the spot and pacified the protesters by assuring them of action, following which they relented.
Bhaskar has filed a formal complaint holding the moneylender responsible for his father’s death, police said, adding that an investigation has begun.
PNN
