BALASORE: Another debt-ridden farmer allegedly committed suicide in Balasore district on Sunday taking the toll to two in a fortnight.
The recent Nor’wester and hailstorm had damaged the crops of Ramachandra Bor (60) of Baliapati village under Basta block and he was worried over repayment of debts. Bor consumed poison at his home in the morning and succumbed at hospital while undergoing treatment.
According to his family members, Bor had cultivated paddy and moong on two acres for which he had taken a loan of Rs 19,000 from the local cooperative society. “He was visibly upset for the last few days. We suspect he took the drastic step apprehending that he might not be able to repay the loan he had taken for paddy and pulses crops,” said a family member.
The administration, however, rubbished the allegations. Basta Tehsildar Bhabataran Sahu, who visited Baliapati village, said it was an outcome of family disturbance as Bor was being neglected by his two sons and daughters-in-law after the death of his wife a decade ago.
“A couple of days back, he was ill-treated by his sons, who used to harass him publicly. They all had gone to Baruni mela leaving Bor alone at home. That day, he could not have food properly and it might have compelled him to take the extreme step,” Sahu said.
On crop loan, he said it was taken only three months back at an interest rate of 1 per cent and society officials did not ask him for repayment. On March 15, Sudam Khatua (40) of Pakharbada village under Sadar police limits had ended his life by consuming pesticide allegedly over crop loss. The district administration had refuted the allegation stating that family feud was the reason.