Farmer kills self over crop loss

Description

BERHAMPUR: A 50-year-old farmer allegedly committed suicide in Ganjam district on Saturday due to crop loss. Debt-ridden Trinath Pradhan of Erendra village was admitted to MKCG Medical College and Hospital after he consumed pesticides on Wednesday. He died in the hospital.

Pradhan owned two acres of land in the village but had to face repeated crop loss for want of irrigation. He had also borrowed around Rs 50,000. "He consumed poison because he was under severe mental pressure with the lenders' demanding their money," said his wife Mala. Police are investigating the case.

Sub-collector (Berhampur) Ajit Mishra has sanctioned Rs 3,000 to Mala from the District Red Cross Fund for the cremation. Berhampur town unit president of BJP Ram Patra, who visited the family, has urged the government to provide a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to them.