Pottangi (Koraput): A day after a debt-ridden farmer committed suicide by consuming poison over crop loss in Kendrapara district, one more farmer reportedly took the extreme step here Sunday.
The deceased farmer has been identified as Loknath Pangi of Maliguda village under Pottangi police limits in Koraput district.
According to family members, unable to see his damaged crops, Pangi consumed pesticides in his crop field. He then returned home and told his wife about it. Soon, the family members rushed him to Pottangi Community Health Centre (CHC) where he died while undergoing treatment.
“He was under severe stress due to crop loss and debt burden. So, he took the extreme step,” his wife said. Besides, Pangi’s wife has lodged a complaint with the local police in this connection.
According to sources, Pangi had cultivated paddy in his few acres of land this Kharif season by taking loans from banks and private money lenders. He had hoped of a bumper harvest. However, his hopes were dashed after his standing crops were devastated during Titli and its subsequent flood.
On the other hand, whatever, he had managed to save from the cyclonic storm were infested by pests and withered. While people have already began harvesting their Kharif paddy, Pangi was worried to repay his loans and feed his family after the crop loss.
As usual, he went to see his farm Sunday morning after breakfast. Depressed seeing the withered and damaged crops, he took the extreme step, villagers said.
Meanwhile, police could not be contacted on the issue.
It may be noted here that a sharecropper (Gouranga Charan Kap) of Napang village in Kendrapara district allegedly committed suicide due to crop loss caused by the recent Titli cyclone. However, the ADM refuted crop loss and claimed it to be fallout of family feud while a further probe is on.
Similarly, a farmer allegedly committed suicide in Ghambhariguda village under Koksara block of Kalahandi district by consuming poison October 25. Another farmer had also taken the extreme step in Madiguda village under Bhawanipatna block in Kalahandi district August 5.
PNN
