According to authorities in Madhya Pradesh’s Khargone district, a 37-year-old farmer committed himself after being unable to repay loans and suffering crop losses.
Jitendra Patidar was discovered hanging from a tree at his Pandhaniya village property yesterday, according to the official.
“We received information on Friday evening that a farmer had committed suicide under Mengaon police station. A team of officials from the district administration and agriculture department reached the spot immediately,” subdivisional magistrate (SDM) Satyendra Singh said.
When asked about the loan burden on the farmer and crop losses as alleged by his family, the official said the matter will become clear after a probe.
The district had recorded lesser rainfall compared to last year, but the recent downpour had improved the situation as far as crops are concerned, Mr. Singh said.
According to sources, the farmer’s family-owned 18 acres of land.
The body of the farmer was handed over to his family after a post-mortem today morning, it was stated.
Speaking to reporters, the farmer’s uncle Bhagwan Patidar claimed that Jitendra had spoken to him over the phone before committing suicide and had said that he was taking the extreme step due to the increasing burden of loan and crop losses.
“Jitendra’s loan amount from banks and cooperative societies had risen to ₹ 10-12 lakh. He was depressed, as he was unable to repay the amount. Apart from this, he had also faced some crop losses due to poor rains. I tried to make him understand, but he hanged himself by the time I reached the spot,” Mr. Bhagwan said.
