Sambalpur: A farmer Sunday ended his life by consuming pesticide after a herd of elephants damaged his crop at Nuanpali village under Sadar police limits in Sambalpur district.
According to family members, Bidyadhar Adabar had cultivated paddy in a five-acre farm this rabi season after borrowing from banks and private moneylenders.
He had hoped for a good harvest that would enable him to repay the loans. However, his hopes were dashed after a herd of elephants damaged his standing crop. Since then, he was under stress.
Bidyadhar took the extreme step in the absence of his family members. He was rushed to the district headquarters hospital and subsequently shifted to Burla-based VSS Institute of Medical Sciences and Research as his condition worsened. However, he breathed his last Sunday evening while undergoing treatment.
Local RI officials visited the village and took stock of the crop loss.
