Guj farmer hangs self in Porbandar due to crop loss, debts

A farmer Friday allegedly committed suicide in Gujarat's Porbandar district, over 350 kilometres from here, after reportedly suffering crop loss and facing rising debts, police said.

Viram Odedara (54) hung himself at his residence in Kutiyana town, and his son Ram has told police that the deceased had lost his crops for the season and was stressed that he could not repay loans taken from a bank and relatives, said sub inspector Y B Patel of Kutiyana police station.

"Ram told us that his father was a farmer and had borrowed Rs 3 lakh from relatives and around Rs 1 lakh from a bank. He was mentally disturbed following crop loss. He said the Viram killed himself due to cash crunch and inability to pay dues," the official said.

This is the third suicide by a farmer in the last three weeks in Gujarat.

Earlier, on October 7, Kalu Chauhan, a 40-year-old farmer from Botad district, allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself apparently over the fear of losing his crop in view of the weak monsoon.

On September 24, Anak Jebalia (35), a resident of Dhari taluka of Amreli district, had allegedly committed suicide due to the same reason.

According to figures released by Gujarat government, the state is staring at water scarcity since it had received only 76.72 per cent of average rainfall this monsoon.