Sonepur: A farmer allegedly committed suicide over crop loss at Purunapani village under Tarbha block of Sonepur district on Saturday.
The deceased has been identified as Gautam Bagarti.
Protesting against the farmer’s death, a group of villagers staged a blockade on the road connecting Sonepur with Balangir and demanded compensation for the bereaved family.
According to locals, Gautam consumed some poisonous substance to end his life. He was reportedly under severe mental stress for quite a long time due to crop failure and took the extreme step fearing that he would not be able to repay the loan borrowed from money lenders.
In an earlier incident on September 3, a farmer identified as Bimal Kisan allegedly committed suicide over crop loss and loan burden at Ulunda village under Mahulapalli police limits in Sambalpur district.
Kisan was admitted to VIMSAR in Burla in a critical condition. However, he succumbed while undergoing treatment.
On August 31, a farmer identified as Balaram Gunta allegedly committed suicide at Malimarla village under Pattangi police limits in Koraput district.
His family members said he took the extreme step due to crop loss and the burden of debt. He was unable to repay the loan and had been under tremendous mental stress.
