Irked over his crop damaged by pink bollworm, young farmer ends life in Mansa

Sukhmeet Bhasin
Tribune News Service
Mansa, September 27

Farmers in Malwa region have been protesting on the streets on a daily basis due to the link bollworm attack on cotton crop.

A young farmer on Monday died by suicide by swallowing a poisonous substance after seeing his damaged cotton crop.

The deceased has been identified as Rajinder Singh (27) of Khiala Kalan village in Mansa district.

The police handed over the body to the family members of the deceased.

Nahar Singh, father of deceased Rajinder Singh, said that he had two canals of land while he had sown cotton on eight acres by taking land on contract basis at Rs 55,000 per acre.

His younger son today died by suicide by consuming poisonous substance as he was irked over the damage of his cotton crop. He said he has a debt of Rs 8 lakh of commission agents.

Village panch Jagsir Singh and Sardul Singh of village Khiala Kalan said Rajinder Singh was disturbed by the pink bollworm attack on their cotton crop.

After spraying pesticides on his cotton crop yesterday, he ended his life by allegedly taking the poisonous substance himself in the evening today.

They demanded compensation for the family and also demanded action against the companies supplying substandard seeds.

Investigating Officer Sukhpal Singh said Rajinder Singh, a youth from village Khiala Kalan, died by suicide.

“We got information about this and we have taken action on the statements of Nahar Singh, father of the deceased youth,” he said.