Jajpur: Unable to bear the burden of crop loss, a farmer allegedly committed suicide by drinking pesticide at Bajbati village under Dharmashala block of Odisha’s Jajpur district.
The condition of the victim, identified as Nityananda Parida, became critical after he consumed pesticide in his field on Saturday and was shifted to a healthcare facility in critical condition. He breathed his last on Sunday evening.
According to reports, Nityananda went to his paddy field on Saturday and was depressed to see the wilted crop due to lack of water. In frustration, he consumed pesticide from a bottle kept in the field and fell unconscious. He was rushed to Dharmachaya Community Health Center (CHC) but shifted to the SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack as his condition deteriorated.
Nityananda’s family members said that he had taken a loan to cultivate paddy on three acres of land. However, the crop loss shattered his dream of reaping a good harvest. They added that the field did not receive enough rainwater owing to the presence of black stone pits nearby. This aided the wilting of the crop.
Nityananda’s brother Paramanand alleged, “The water required for paddy fields is drying due to the stone quarry. We have been facing losses due to the stone quarry for the last 4-5 years. We have lodged complaints in this connection, but no one pays heed to our issues.”
On being informed, police sent Niityananda’s body for post-mortem and have launched an investigation into the tragedy.
