Three more farmers commit suicide in Odisha

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Kendrapara/ Jharsuguda/ Subarnapur, Nov 14:

Three more farmers today committed suicide in Odisha owing to bad crops and burden of loan. The incidents have been reported from Kendrapara, Jharsuguda and Subarnapur districts.

A case of farmer suicide was reported from Kendrapara today where the deceased farmer has been identified as Arabinda Ray (35) from Jigarana colony under Pattamundai block took the extreme step due to crop loss. His family members claimed that he had taken agricultural loans and was under stress.

“He had cultivated paddy on higher grounds. The drought hit him hard. He lost mental balance and committed suicide,” said a relative.

The other case was reported from Gudigaon village under Kolabira block of Jharsuguda district. The deceased farmer has been identified as Bibekandana Kharsel. His body was recovered from the road besides the village temple.

He had taken loans from the bank to cultivate paddy on five acres of land. He allegedly committed to suicide due to his inability to pay back the loans following bad crops.

Similarly, one more farmer suicide has been reported from Kayapadar village under Tarbha Tehsil in Subarnapur District. The deceased farmer has been identified as Sankhapani Nag (40). He had also taken loans to cultivate paddy on a five acre land, however, consumed poison today following crop loss due to drought.

“He used to remain stressed following the loss of crops this season. Today he had been to the fields and committed suicide there,” said his ailing mother.

The Sub Collector of Subarnapur- Surya Narayan Dash today visited the village to investigate the cause of suicide.

“He along with his brother had cultivated their land. Besides, he had cultivated another five acres of land as a sharecropper. The crops had been okay. He has even harvested some of the crops. His family, however, claims that he had taken loans. We are investigating the claim,” said Sub Collector Dash speaking to reporters.