Farmer Kills Self Over ‘Loan Burden’ In Sonepur

Sonepur: A farmer allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself from a tree at Sinhijuba village under Binika block in Sonepur district on Saturday following crop loss due to brown plant-hoppers, a pest locally known as ‘chakada’.

The deceased has been identified as Bhutulu Karna.

According to sources, he had a loan burden of Rs 2.5 lakh. His wife and son alleged that Bhutulu took the extreme step as he had not yet received compensation for the crop loss due to brown plant-hopper attack and drought. This year, he had cultivated paddy on two acres and was worried over ‘chakada’ attack.

In the first week of November, an elderly couple allegedly attempted suicide by jumping into a pond at Tunagaan village under Koksara block in Kalahandi district, following crop loss.

Though the villagers managed to save the woman, the man drowned to death.

The villagers suspect that the couple took the extreme step due to crop loss and debt-burden.