Share-cropper commits suicide in Burdwan

A share-cropper allegedly committed suicide by consuming pesticide at his home in Bhatar in West Bengal’s Burdwan district, an official in the district administration said on Sunday.

Farmer Bishwanath Bag (50) of Shahebganj area under Bhatar PS, consumed pesticide on Saturday night and was rushed to Burdwan Medical College and Hospital where he died, hospital sources said.

Bag’s son, Mahadev, said his father’s Bodo crops had been ruined. He had incurred a loss of Rs 20,000 but had been given a compensation of Rs 3,300 by the government.

To offset the loss, Mahadev said his father had cultivated Aman crops on five bighas of land, but the lack of adequate irrigation water had destroyed the crops.

Biswanath Bag had taken a private loan of Rs 50,000 for the crop, his son said, adding that he could have taken the extreme step after being unable to meet his losses.

Block Development Officer (BDO) Bhatar, Proloy Mondal said that he had heard of the death and was inquiring into the incident. He would submit his report to the District Magistrate Soumitra Mohan, he said.

The BDO said that five farmers have so far allegedly committed suicide over the last three/four months in the district known as the state’s rice bowl.  He said he had submitted the reports on the deaths to the District Magistrate. When contacted, the DM said that he would inquire into the incident.