Another farmer commits suicide in Orissa

Bolangir (Orissa), Nov 6: A farmer in Orissa's Bolangir district committed suicide after incurring huge losses due to pest attack.

According to reports, Baldev Barik of Keseipalli village in Bolangir district allegedly committed suicide on Thursday by consuming pesticide after insects and pests attacked five acres of his cultivated agricultural land.

Jasoda Barik, the crestfallen widow, said that in the morning Baldev went to the fields and on returning he informed that he had consumed the poison since he had taken loan.

She also said that they had cultivated two out of the five acres of land on lease and insects had damaged all their crops.

While, Sudhir Parihha, a local leader of farmers' forum, said: "Pests infested his rice fields because of which he lost his mental stability. Few days ago he spoke to a few people describing his plight and his insecurity to run his family. He had also taken some loan and was worried about repaying it making him depressed."

Soon after the news of Baldev's death, District Collector Sashwati rushed to the spot and assured a proper inquiry into the entire incident.

"We have sent a team consisting of both agriculture and revenue department officials to the concerned villages. So, once we get the inquiry report then we will be able to give you the details," Sashwati said.

Debt ridden farmers in several districts of Orissa are committing suicide due to failed crops and inability to repay the money lent by private moneylenders for growing cotton.

According to unconfirmed reports, more than 10 debt-ridden farmers have committed suicide during the past one-month.

--ANI