Post News Network
Bargarh, May 16: Another debt-ridden farmer from the district allegedly committed suicide by consuming poison Saturday. This is the third such incident reported from the district since January this year.
The deceased farmer was identified as Krushnachandra Sahu (48) of Jharpali village under Ambabhona block. After his family members alleged his death due to consumption of poison over crop loss and mounting loans, Town police station personnel registered a case of unnatural death and started an investigation into their complaint after sending the body for post-mortem.
The farmer leaves behind his wife, son Rajendra and two daughters, Tapaswini and Jugmamati. Sahu had performed his elder daughter Tapaswini’s marriage last year.
According to villagers, Sahoo was a nominal farmer who owned three acre of land near the village. He had grown chili, ginger, paddy, brinjal and other vegetables on his land after taking loans from various sources, including private money lenders. However, all his crops were damaged due to pest attacks and other reasons. Sahoo was under duress over repayment of loans he had taken to solemnise his daughter’s marriage after loss of crops in the current season, alleged his wife Binodini,
Sahoo’s son also said was not taking food properly in the home for the last few days over repayment of loans and crop loss. Sahoo left house Wednesday morning on the plea of going to his farmland and returned at around 2 pm. After a while, he lost his consciousness informing his family members that he consumed poison.
Sahoo’s family members immediately took him to the district headquarters hospital. As the doctors allowed Sahoo to go home after improvement in his condition, his family members brought him home Friday.
He, however, was again admitted to the district headquarters hospital Saturday morning after complaining chest pain. Doctors declared him dead at around 11 am, sources said.
Binodini could not estimate the exact amount of loan Sahoo had taken to perform the marriage and cultivation. Sahoo had taken loans from bank, villagers and a few relatives, she said.
Town police station ASI Sudarshan Behera said police started an investigation after a complaint was lodged. The exact reason behind his death would be known after arrival of post-mortem report, he added.
