BARGARH: In yet another incident of suicide over crop loss, a farmer, identified as Rohit Bhoi (32) of village Kharsal, consumed poison during the wee hours of Saturday. This is the first case of farmer suicide reported from the non-irrigated Bhatli block in the district. Earlier, 12 farmers in the district had committed suicide in the last 50 days.
Though locals believed that the trend would change after farmers harvest their crop, poor yield and the looming pressure to repay loan apparently pushed the cultivators to death. Despite the prompt announcement of input subsidy by the State Government, the farmers continue to take the extreme step.
According to reports, Rohit had cultivated paddy over his three and a half acres by borrowing `3 lakh from fellow villagers. However, sources said deficit rainfall followed by pest attack ruined his crop.
Although family members rushed him to District Headquarters Hospital at Bargarh, he succumbed to the poisonous effect while undergoing treatment. Rohit is survived by his wife. “Damage to his crop and pressure of repayment of loan took a toll on his life,” the deceased’s brother, Subal Bhoi, said.
Meanwhile, Bhatli tehsildar Biswanath Sahu and additional tehsildar Anil Kumar Hota rushed to the District Headquarters Hospital and expressed their condolences to the bereaved family.