A distressed farmer at Ramachandrapur in Golamunda block under Dharmagarh subdivision in Kalahandi district on Wednesday succumbed to his alleged suicide attempt in a hospital at Dharmagarh.
Purna Chandra Bhoi had allegedly consumed pesticide on Tuesday following loss of his crop due to drought.
He was rushed to the Government hospital by his family members, but he died while undergoing treatment.
“He had borrowed Rs50,000 from the local Gramya Bank for cultivation. He had taken an additional loan of Rs40,000 from moneylenders by pledging three tolas of gold. He had cultivated paddy in three acres of land which was ruined due to drought. He was under tremendous mental pressure for the last few days over the bleak prospects of repaying loans.
He had lost his mental balance and consumed pesticide in an attempt to commit suicide,” said Mahendra Pradhan, a relative of the deceased farmer.
An official of the local administration said, “Yes, it has come to my notice that a person from Golamunda block had consumed poison and has died. His family members claim that he has committed suicide due to crop failure and loan burden. We will inquire into the matter and do whatever is possible within the purview of the law.”