Debt-ridden farmer hangs self in Jajpur

Jajpur: A farmer of Kantigadia village under Dharmashala police station in Jajpur district allegedly committed suicide today by hanging himself with a rope inside an under-construction house.

Family sources said 41-year old Subodh Das, was allegedly mired in debt and was under mental duress. He had reportedly cultivated paddy in five acres of land which was washed away by unseasonal rains.

"He was under severe mental agony as he had to pay five loan instalments in a month. He was suffering from fever for the last two days. I would have taken him to the hospital in the morning. But he took the drastic step last night," Annapurna Das, wife of the deceased said.

The deceased had reportedly taken loans from micro finance organisations, local banks, various local Self Help Groups (SHGs) and private money lenders.

"He was under stress due to his loans. He must have taken the extreme step after failing to repay the money," Uttam Das, former sarpanch of Kantigadia panchayat said.

Dharmashala police have registered a case of unnatural death and sent the body for post-mortem.