Debt-ridden Sangrur farmer dies by suicide

A debt-ridden farmer of Jhaneri village near Bhawanigarh died at Patiala’s Rajindra Hospital during treatment, days after he consumed poison. Balwinder Singh (35) is survived by his wife and four daughters. He was cremated on Sunday.

The Bhawanigarh block press secretary of the BKU (Ugrahan), Harjinder Singh Gharachon, said Balwinder, who owned 4 bighas, was passing through mental stress due to debt running into lakhs of rupees. He also worked as a mechanic to make both ends meet.

Gharachon said Balwinder had consumed poison on September 2 and was treated at two private hospitals before being admitted to the Patiala Hospital. He demanded from the state government to waive the loan amount, besides giving compensation to the victim’s family.