Debt-ridden, Mansa farmer ends life

Bathinda, February 19

Nachattar Singh (55), a debt-ridden farmer of Bajewala village of Mansa district, committed suicide late last night. He owed Rs 7 lakh to arhtiyas (commission agents) and Rs 5 lakh to a bank and a cooperative society.

His family members said Nachattar failed to repay the loan due to farm losses suffered in recent years. Nachattar, who owned 5 acres, had left for his fields to keep a vigil on his wheat crop last night. This morning, his son, Jagjit Singh, found his body hanging from a tree in a field. The farmer is survived by wife three daughters and two sons. The police have initiated inquest proceedings under Section 174 of the CrPC. — TNS