Debt-ridden farmer kills self

Tribune News Service

Advertisement

Bathinda, May 15

Following debt burden, Surjit Singh, a 50-year-old farmer from Sandoha village, committed suicide by consuming pesticide on Friday night.

He reportedly had 3 acres and owed Rs 4 lakh to private lenders and government banks. The deceased is survived by two children and wife.

BKU Ugraha leader Harjinder Singh Baggi said, “Vicitm Surjit Singh was under stress for the last few days, as revealed by the aggrieved family. He also stopped the education of his children — son Kuldip Singh and daughter Manpreet Kaur — following the rising debt. The victim went to irrigate his fields on Friday night but he consumed pesticide in his fields. He informed his family about it over the phone.”

Baggi said the victim farmer was taken to Talwandi Sabo hospital immediately but as he had consumed a lot of poison, he could not be saved and died at the hospital.

“We demand that compensation of Rs 5 lakh be given to victim family immediately, besides the government should clear his debt of Rs 4 lakh taken from government banks and private money lenders. We urge the farmers not to commit suicide instead they should fight and struggle for their rights. The government should make policies, which are pro-farmers. The charging of interest on loans given for agriculture purposes to small farmers should be brought to an end. Farmers don’t get loans easily, following, which they borrow it from private money lenders at high rate of interest,” added Bagggi.