Farmer dies, wife critical after jumping into pond over crop loss

Kalahandi: A farmer died while his wife was rescued in critical condition after the elderly farmer couple attempted suicide by jumping into a pond at Tuna village under Koksara block of Kalahandi district today allegedly over crop failure.

Though the villagers managed to rescue the woman and rushed her to the hospital, the man identified as Sudarsan Majhi (65) drowned.

According to reports, Sundarsan had cultivated rice in his five acre land. But due to deficient rainfall, he had to suffer crop loss.

Unable to bear the trauma, Sudarsan along with his wife took the extreme step.

“He was telling me yesterday that his crops got damaged and how he could look after his family? He was really heartbroken," said a villager, Kailash Chandra Naik.

"The post-mortem report will establish the exact cause of the death. The family of the deceased will be granted assistance as per the rules," informed Kokasara Tehsildar, Mausumi Nayak adding that after a detailed inquiry into the matter, it will be known whether the suicide was due to crop failure or not.