Adimali: Idukki district in Kerala has reported another farmer suicide. With the suicide of James Joseph, a 54-year-old farmer who took his life on Monday, the number of farmer suicides in the district in the last two months has rose to seven. It was also the second suicide on consecutive days.
James, who was living in a rented house at Murikkassery in Idukki district, took his life at a teak plantation on Monday afternoon after receiving eviction notice from the Adimaly Branch of South Indian Bank. He had taken a loan of Rs. 2.50 lakh for supporting his daughter’s Nursing education in 2012.
However, James could not pay back the loan following crop damage. As the financial liabilities escalated, he decided to lease out the 2 ½ acre land and the house which they owned in Irumalakkappu for nine years. But, with the heavy monsoon rendering the house uninhabitable, the family shifted to a rented house at Murikkassery. The eviction notice from the bank for Rs. 4,64,173 arrived on top of all these hardships. The bank officials used to call James continuously regarding the non-payment of the loan, which had put him under considerable mental pressure, according to the relatives.
James, who originally belongs to Varikkanikkal house at Parathodu, had left home by Monday afternoon, reaching the Perinchankutty Plantation where he took his life, said the police. The body was handed over to the relatives after conducting autopsy at Taluk Hospital, Adimaly. The funeral will be conducted later.
He is survived by wife Lovely and children, Ebin and Ebit.
Agricultural labourer also kills self
Peerumedu: Rajan, a 62-year-old agricultural labourer, in Idukki district, committed suicide following the delay in receiving financial aid for reconstruction of his house that was completely damaged in the floods.
Rajan, belonging to Kochuthaliyil house, Odichukuthi, Chemmanu, Elappara had taken his life inside the damaged house, which had been completely destroyed on August 16 in the great floods. Following the destruction of the house, Rajan and his family had shifted to a shack (‘layam’) in a nearby estate. He is reported to have visited the Elappara Village Office and Panchayath office on Monday, enquiring about the financial aid for reconstructing the house.
His relatives said that Rajan had been undergoing mental pressure following the delay in receiving the aid. Tahsildar K M Shaji said that the application in this regard was given by Rajan's wife and it was under scrutiny.
The Peerumedu police registered a case and started enquiry.
Rajan is survived by wife Ramani and two sons, Ratheesh and Rajesh.
Suicide bid in Kottayam
In a separate incident in Kottayam, a dairy farmer was admitted to Kottayam Medical College in a serious condition following an attempted suicide following the death of two cows which were purchased with bank loans.
The farmer who was earlier working as a rubber tapping worker had lost his job as the price of rubber fell and started raising cows. He had purchased two cows for Rs 2 lakh after taking a loan. Two cows and calves had died two months back. The farmer had also lost two fingers while cutting grass for the cows. He had also been hit with Dengue fever following which he was unable to do hard physical labour.
A third cow which he had purchased with loan was also stricken with disease the other day, following which the farmer had attempted suicide.
