Two debt-ridden farmers end life in Bathinda, Muktsar

After suffering damage due to the pink bollworm attack, a 46-year-old farmer from Mehma Sarkari village of Bathinda allegedly died by suicide early this morning.

The deceased was identified as Rup Singh, who reportedly was under stress due to the mounting debt.

Sukhraj Singh, elder brother of the deceased, said, “Rup Singh had taken a loan of around Rs 12 lakh which he could not repay. He had also sown cotton in four acres but due to the pink bollworm attack, his crop got damaged. He had been under stress for the past few weeks. He went to the tubewell room in the fields and ended his life by hanging himself.”

Meanwhile, a 28-year-old farmer from Rattakhera Vadda village in Lambi of Muktsar allegedly died by suicide by consuming some poisonous substance on Wednesday. The deceased has been identified as Manipal Singh, who owned around six acres. Sukhjinder Singh, cousin of the deceased, said Manipal’s land was waterlogged and he owned some animals as well, but could not overcome financial burden. — TNS