Couple dies by suicide over loan dues in western Assam’s Dhubri district

By Rokibuz Zaman
GUWAHATI: Fed up with financial constraints, a married couple of western Assam’s Dhubri district allegedly died by suicide by setting themselves on fire using kerosene. They have left behind a 4-year-old boy.
The incident took place on Friday at Futkibari village under Bilasipara subdivision of the district. The man died the same day at Barpeta Medical College and Hospital while his wife breathed her last in Guwahati on Saturday.
Dhubri is about 170 km from Barpeta.
While the man died that day itself, his wife breathed her last at Barpeta Medical College and Hospital on Saturday.
Police said Kanak Nath (30) and Majani Nath (22) set themselves on fire in a fit of rage at their Futkibari residence. Locals said Nath, a driver, had taken an autorickshaw on loan to eke out a living. The two often quarrelled over non-payment of a loan taken against the vehicle, they added.
The problems compounded for the couple following the nationwide lockdown announced on March 24. The amount of loan accumulated as plying of vehicles has stopped over the past five months.
“The non-payment of loan money led to a quarrel between the husband and the wife. They took the extreme step to end their life apparently under duress due to financial constraints,” said a villager.
Police have started an investigation.