Kalahandi: An elderly couple allegedly attempted suicide by jumping into a pond at Tunagaan village under Koksara block in Kalahandi district, following crop loss, on Friday.
Though the villagers managed to save the woman, the man drowned to death.
He was identified as Sudarshan Majhi (65).
According to sources, Majhi had cultivate paddy in his five acre of land. However, he suffered crop loss due to scanty rainfall.
The villagers suspect that the couple took the extreme step due to crop loss and debt-burden.
The couple has two sons. While Subash Majhi is working a migrant labourer in Goa and Pramod Majhi is living at his in-law house in a nearby village.
“The postmortem report will establish the exact cause of the death. The family of the deceased will be provided assistance in accordance with the rules,” said Kokasara Tehsildar, Mausumi Nayak.
A detailed inquiry will be conducted to ascertain whether they committed suicide due to crop failure or not, she added.
On October 23, a young farmer, Paramananda Lahajala (28), had allegedly attempted suicide by consuming poison at Gambhariguda village in Koksara block of Dharmagarh in Kalahandi district. He died the following day while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Bhawanipatna.
His family members alleged that he took the extreme step due to crop loss and debt burden. He had lost crop over four acres as water was in short supply. He had taken loan of Rs 35,000 from a self-help group, they added.
Another young farmer had also committed suicide by hanging himself at Sunamaal village near Ladugaan here due to crop loss and debt burden.
Following these incidents, the district administration had visited the villages and tried to convince the villagers not to take the extreme step.
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