MUMBAI: A debt-ridden farmer in drought-affected Beed district of Marathwada region here is battling for life after an alleged poisoning attempt by some moneylenders.
The farmer, Ramdas Jogdand, who had borrowed Rs one lakh from private moneylenders, was admitted to the government hospital in a critical condition after the moneylenders allegedly forced him to consume poison yesterday, Beed SP Anil Paraskar told PTI over phone.
The incident comes after Maharashtra ministers toured the district, along with Latur and Osmanabad, to review the drought situation.
Jogdand had taken Rs one lakh loan in 1997 from two private moneylenders for his sister's marriage, the IPS officer said.
Jogdand's brother told police that despite repaying the loan and interest, the farmer was facing repeated demands for another Rs 50,000.
We detained seven persons, including the two moneylenders, the SP said, adding a complaint has been filed.
"We had even sent letters to Chief Minister to allow us to end our lives as we were fed up with the moneylenders' harassment," the farmer's brother said.
As many as 3,228 farmers committed suicide in Maharashtra last year, highest in the last 14 years.