A debt-ridden farmer of Jajpur district on Wednesday committed suicide by hanging himself from a tree after witnessing wilted paddy saplings in his farmland due to the recent incessant rain.
Farmer Gouranga Bal (42) of Mangarajpur under Dharmasala block raised paddy crops in his four acres of land after obtaining loan of Rs 3 lakh from Self-Help Groups and private moneylenders to purchase paddy seeds and fertilisers. But the rains ruined all his hopes to earn livelihood for his seven family members, including his wife, two daughters and two sons and mother besides himself.
When contacted, district Collector Ranjan Kumar Das said, “After knowing the incident, I have directed the Tehasildar of Dharmasala to submit a report about the death of the farmer. After getting the report, we will take appropriate steps.”
Dharmasala police station IIC Umakanta Nayak said, “The wife of the deceased farmer has filed an FIR alleging that her husband committed suicide due to crop loss. Police seized the body and sent it to hospital for autopsy. Police are investigating the case.”