Debt-ridden Patiala farmer hangs self to death

Tribune News Service

Patiala, January 7

A 40-year-old debt-ridden farmer allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself from a ceiling fan on Sunday evening at Kakrala village in Nabha block, Patiala. In his suicide note, the victim cited mounting debts as the reason and also stated that the state government did not provide any relief. He also blamed six persons and a firm for his suicide.

“I am committing suicide due to the burden of loan and the state government is responsible for my suicide,” Gurmel Singh wrote in his two-page suicide note.

In the note, a copy of which is with The Tribune, Gurmel mentioned that he had a debt of Rs 4 lakh against his two-acre land and he did not get any relief from the state government.

According to villagers, Gurmel failed to get any relief from the government as he could not fulfil the conditions of the crop loan waiver scheme.

The deceased named six persons and a firm in the suicide note for not making his payments related to a home-run battery shop.

The police have registered a case against the six persons and the firm under Section 306 (abetment of suicide) of the IPC. Those booked are Parminder Singh, Bhinder Singh, Dutt, Gora Singh, Jagtar Singh and Dhama Singh, and Isser Combine Company. The police have not booked the state government even though the victim had blamed it.

Harmel Singh of the BKU, Ugrahan, said, “A case should also be registered against the state government. The Congress government has failed to fulfil its poll promise of a complete loan waiver.”

Family members of the victim today held a protest against the police for “inaction” against those responsible for his suicide.

Gurmeet Singh, Station House Officer, Kotwali, Nabha, said, “We have not made any arrests, but investigations are under way.”

Asked about the victim blaming the state government, he said, “I haven’t read the suicide note, but what I have heard is that he has blamed the government for not providing any relief.”

What villagers say

According to villagers, Gurmel Singh failed to get any relief from the state government as he could not fulfil the conditions laid down for the crop loan waiver scheme.