2 debt-ridden farmers end life

Tribune News Service

Mansa/Sangrur, August 6

Two debt-ridden farmers committed suicide by consuming poison today.

Gurtej Singh (45) of Sahnewal village in Jhunir block of Mansa district took the extreme step in his field. He owned 3.5 acres and owed Rs 4 lakh to a bank and Rs 5 lakh to arhtiyas (commission agents). Ram Singh Bhenibagha, BKU (Ugrahan) district president, said, “The farmer’s crop had suffered a huge loss due to the whitefly attack last year. A compensation of Rs 5 lakh should be given, besides a government job to his kin.”

Mahinder Singh (48) of Ramgarh Sandhuan village near Lehragaga in Sangrur district, also ended his life. He is survived by wife, two daughters and a son. He was the owner of four acres. Chattar Singh, sarpanch, said Mahinder was under a debt of several lakhs of rupees. He died on the way to the Civil Hospital.