A farmer allegedly committed suicide in Bari block of Odisha's Jajpur district today with his family claiming that he took the extreme step due to crop loss caused by unseasonal rains.
Suresh Chandra Sahoo (50) of Sundarpur village under Binjharpur police station limits was found hanging from a tree in the backyard of his house this morning, police said.
Over 12 farmers have committed suicide in the state since October this year.
"My son had cultivated paddy crop in six acres of land. He had already suffered a lot due to unseasonal rains last month. The remaining paddy crops are ready for harvest. He took the extreme step fearing more crop loss as heavy rain is likely to lash Odisha in the next few days," said Narayan Sahoo, father of the deceased.
Family sources said Suresh, a father of three, used to work as a plumber in a private company in Kolkata. He left the job and came home two years back. He took to farming in the village last year.
Soon after the death news of Suresh spread, local activists of Nabanirman Krushak Sena reached the house of the deceased farmer and expressed their condolences.
Bari Block Development Officer (BDO) Maheswar Sethy said the exact reason behind Suresh's death would be ascertained only after a thorough inquiry.
Inspector-in-Charge of Binjharpur police station, Asit Kumar Mohanty said police had seized the body and registered a case of unnatural death in this connection. Further investigation is on.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)