LUDHIANA – Yet another debt-ridden farmer committed suicide by consuming pesticide at Galib village in Jagraon today. The deceased has been identified as Baljinder Singh. He left a suicide note in which he stated that he was under a debt of Rs 12 lakh that prompted him to end his life.
In the suicide note, Baljinder Singh stated that he did not want to end his life, but he was under so much debt that he was left with no other option but to commit suicide.
Baljinder Singh’s relatives said he was talking normally last night and later went to sleep. He woke up at midnight and consumed pesticide.
Baljinder was an active member of the Kisan Union Ekta (Dakonda). Baljinder is survived by his wife, son and two daughters. One of his relatives said Baljinder had taken loan for the marriages of his three children. As he failed to pay hefty instalments, the loan amount kept on mounting.
According to information, Baljinder had taken loans of Rs 6 lakh and Rs 1.5 lakh from two separate banks. Further he had taken Rs 4 lakh from a commission agent on interest and Rs 50,000 from a cooperative society.
Baljinder owned two acres. One of his sons Shamsher Singh, who operates an SUV to eke out a living, said debt had driven his father into depression.
