Tarbha: A farmer allegedly committed suicide by consuming pesticides over crop loss and loan burden at Purunapani village under Tarbha block in Sonepur district.
The deceased has been identified as Gautam Bagarti (36).
Gautam is survived by his wife Arati, daughter Soudamini and two minor sons- Raju and Rakesh.
According to sources, Gautam had taken agricultural loan from a cooperative society and State Bank of India for cultivation of paddy and vegetables in his few acres of land. He had hoped of a bumper harvest. However, his hopes were dashed due to severe crop loss after his crops were affected by pests. The prevailing incessant rain due to low pressure further added to his woes.
He was under severe mental pressure thinking of repayment of the loan he had taken from the bank and cooperative society.
Unable to bear the loan burden, he went to his farmland and allegedly consumed pesticide Saturday. His wife spotted him writhing for life and vomiting blood and shouted for help.
Hearing the screams, fellow villagers rescued him and rushed to Tarbha community health centre (CHC). After preliminary treatment, he was shifted him to Bolangir district headquarters hospital (DHH), where doctors declared him dead.
Following the incident, local BJP and Congress leaders along with a group of villagers staged a road blockade on NH-57 demanding compensation for the family of the deceased.
The protest was called off after Additional BDO Anand Chandra Mishra assured to take their demands into consideration and sanctioned Rs 12,000 from Red Cross Fund to the bereaved family members for performing Gautam’s last rites.
In an earlier incident on September 3, a farmer identified as Bimal Kisan allegedly committed suicide over crop loss and loan burden at Ulunda village under Mahulapalli police limits in Sambalpur district.
Kisan was admitted to VIMSAR in Burla in a critical condition. However, he passed away while undergoing treatment.
On August 31, a farmer identified as Balaram Gunta allegedly committed suicide at Malimarla village under Pattangi police limits in Koraput district.
His family members had said he took the extreme step due to crop loss and the burden of debt. He was unable to repay the loan and had been under tremendous mental stress.
PNN