Farmer hangs self over crop loss

BALASORE/BARIPADA:Farm deaths continue to haunt the State. On Sunday, a farmer of Balasore district committed suicide by hanging himself over crop loss due to pest attack. He was identified as 45-year-old Gouranga Barik of Nuagaon village under Khaira police limits.

As per reports, Gouranga had availed loans from a local money lender, self help group and the cooperative bank to cultivate paddy. Following crop loss due to pest attack and unseasonal rains, he was mentally disturbed.

The deceased farmer’s wife Umamani said Gouranga had borrowed at least `1.5 lakh from Gobindpur cooperative bank, local SHG and a village money lender for cultivation of kharif paddy. After the crop was damaged, he was under pressure to repay the debts. Distressed over crop loss due to pest attack and untimely rains, Gouranga took the extreme step, she said.

Neighbours of Gouranga said he was upset for the last few months and never talked to anybody, even his wife and daughters, after losing his paddy crop due to pest attack.On Sunday, Gouranga went to an orchard near his house and hanged himself from a mango tree. He was spotted by family members who rushed him to Khaira hospital. However, the doctor declared him dead.Villagers demanded compensation from the district administration for Gouranga’s family.