Farmer, 50, dies after 'assault' by bank collection staff

A 50-year-old farmer collapsed and died after he was allegedly hit in the chest by the collection agent of a nationalised bank following an argument over loan dues here today, police said.

Gnanasekaran of Pondhai village in the district swooned after the alleged assault and was rushed to the Medical College Hospital here, where he did not respond to treatment, police said.

According to the family, the farmer had taken a loan of Rs 4.5 lakh from the Sathanur branch of the bank and had repaid Rs 2 lakh through equated monthly instalments (EMIs).

However, he could not pay the EMIs for the last two years due to crop failure, they claimed.
 

Quoting family members, the police said, the recovery agent had come to the farmer's house today to enquire about the dues and seize a tractor, hypothecated to the bank in connection with the loan.

The farmer had asked for the ID card of the agent, triggering an argument during which he was allegedly hit in the chest and fainted, they said.