Under debt, farmer commits suicide

Our Correspondent

Hoshiarpur, April 25

A 52-year-old farmer, Ram Singh, committed suicide by consuming a poisonous substance at Maujipur village in Garhshankar. He was missing since April 20. His body was found in his field. Preliminary investigation indicated that he had died due to the consumption of poison.

He was reportedly upset over the loss of wheat crop due to rains and his inability to repay debt.

Ram Singh’s nephews Harbir Singh and Malkiat Singh told the police that their uncle was in depression after his wheat crop was badly damaged by rains. Ram Singh had taken a loan of Rs 60,000 from the village cooperative society and Rs 1 lakh from a commission agent (arhtiya) for sowing wheat crop, they said.

They had their own 4 acres of land and 5 acres of land was taken on rent of Rs 35,000 per acre.

On the statement of Ram Singh’s nephews, the police have initiated the proceedings under Section 174 of the CrPC and sent the body to the Garhshankar Civil Hospital for a post-mortem examination.

42-yr-old ends life

Sangrur: A 42-year-old farmer, Gurpreet Singh of Chaunda village, near Amargarh, today allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself at his house. He is survived by wife and two sons. He owned 4 acres of land.

Daljit Singh Virk, Station House Officer, Amargarh police station, said the reason behind his committing suicide was unclear. He said the police had initiated proceedings under Section 174 of the CrPC.

Another death reported

Abohar: The body of Vinod Meghwal (35), a small farmer, was found hanging on Friday evening at Chak 3LPM village in Sriganganagar. Owner of 4 acres of agricultural land, Vinod had earlier consumed poison six months ago, but he survived. He was upset over the death of a close friend, his family told the police.