Pottangi: Distressed over crop loss and loan burden, a farmer allegedly committed suicide by consuming poison at Malimarla village under Pottangi police limits in Koraput district Friday. The deceased has been identified as Balram Gunta.
According to villagers, the farmer took the extreme step Thursday evening when his family members were away.
Neighbours spotted him writhing in pain and vomiting blood, following which he was rushed to the district headquarters hospital (DHH) where he succumbed while undergoing treatment Friday morning.On receipt of information, police seized the body and sent it for autopsy.
The incident comes in the wake of the death of three farmers in Sambalpur, Bolangir and Bhawanipatna. According to sources, Gunta owned a few acres of land and had cultivated paddy by borrowing from private moneylenders and banks.
He had hoped to repay the debt after a good harvest. However, his hopes of a bumper harvest were dashed after incessant rain washed away the standing crop.
Family sources said, he had taken a loan of over Rs 1 lakh and was under tremendous pressure. He was in agony and had stayed away from people and relatives for the past couple of days.
“He had taken loans from banks and some private moneylenders for cultivation. But, we suffered huge losses after torrential rain washed away our crops. Since then, he was in depression,” a family member said.
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