Debt-ridden farmer commits suicide in Khurda

Khurda: After a lull of a few weeks, the spectre of farmer suicide has returned to haunt Odish again. A farmer in Paika Tigiria village near here allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself in his house today due to his failure to repay agricultural loans.

A handwritten note was found near the body of the deceased, identified as Sitakanta Tripathy, mentioning he was taking the extreme step due to his failure in repaying the loan taken from taken from banks and other financial institutions.

While holding no one responsible for his death in the hand written note, Tripathy hoped that Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik would do something for his family.

The note said Tripathy had taken loans from the UCO Bank in Paika Tigiria, Andhra Bank in Kuradhamal and the Cooeprative Society in Paika Tigiria for agricultural purposes.

He was at his wit's end after repeated reminders from the managers of the banks to repay the loan and was forced to take the extreme step since he was in no position to pay back, Tripathy said in his note.