Diamond artisan kills self over financial crisis

Surat: A 40-year-old diamond artisan allegedly died by suicide at his home in the Varachha area late on Monday night, reportedly due to an acute financial crisis.
The artisan, Ramnagina Singh, had been employed at the diamond polishing firm Asian Star for the past eight years. He was found hanging in his room.
Workers at the company had recently gone on strike after management announced a 15% pay cut post-Diwali and refused to pay the annual festival bonus.
Varachha police have registered an accidental death case and launched an investigation.
Investigating Inspector Alpesh Gabani told TOI, "We discovered that he took the extreme step due to his financial situation and the recent strike at the company where he was employed. He was also anxious about the marriages of his two daughters."
Speaking to TOI, Singh's son, Roshan, said, "My father had been deeply troubled by the financial crisis over the past few days. We are four siblings, including my two sisters, aged 20 and 22, and my elder brother, who is 24. As the work at the diamond company had reduced over the past couple of months, his income had been cut in half."
"He constantly expressed his concern about how he would make ends meet and arrange for my sisters' marriages. We would always reassure him not to worry, telling him things would improve," Roshan added.
The family members are now demanding compensation following Singh's untimely demise.
Asian Star promoter Vipul Shah, said, "We are waiting for the detailed report to determine whether it was a natural or unnatural death. However, we stand by the families of our workers."
Bhavesh Tank, vice-president of the Diamond Workers' Union, Gujarat, said, "Singh had also spoken to the media during the recent strike. He was under constant stress due to the financial crisis. Many artisans are in a similar situation. Diamond unit owners and the government should take this seriously."