Farmer found dead under mysterious circumstances

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, August 14

A farmer on Tuesday died under mysterious circumstances at Heerewala village in Mansa district. The deceased has been identified as Surinder Singh.

According to the victim’s brother, Malkit Singh, Surinder’s wife had been suffering from cancer and the family had spent lakhs of rupees on her treatment. He owned seven acres of land.

He had a daughter and two sons. He had a debt of Rs 13 lakh which he owed to banks and commission agents. He was under mental stress due to his wife’s ailment and mounting debt. He had restricted himself over a period of time and would not talk much with anybody. He left the home for fields this morning.

However, when his brother reached there after some time he found him lying unconscious. He was immediately rushed to the Civil Hospital in Mansa where he was declared dead.

Punjab Kisan Union’s state press secretary Balkaran Singh Balli and Mazdoor Mukti Morcha leader Gursewak Singh Mann said the farmer was under tremendous pressure due to his wife’s disease and increasing debt, which ultimately proved fatal for his life.

They demanded that the state government should step in to facilitate the treatment of his wife. Besides, they sought waiving of his entire debt amount, a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to his kin and a government job to one of his family members.