Odisha farmer ends life over debt burden

Oupada: A farmer reportedly committed suicide after he failed to repay loan in Badapokhari village under Oupada block of Balasore district today.

The farmer, identified as Pradeep Patra consumed poison on Friday afternoon at his farmland. For the past few days, he was under mental stress due to crop failure, said Narendra Patra, elder brother of the deceased.

Pradeep had taken more than Rs 1 lakh loan from Badapokhari Co-operative Society for agricultural activities, Narendra added.

Family members initially admitted Pradeep to Soro Community Health Centre in critical condition and later shifted him to Balasore District Headquarter Hospital. Doctors then referred him to SCB Hospital in Cuttack.

While undergoing treatment, Pradeep died at SCB Hospital today.