Bengal: 3 farmers die by ‘suicide’ in Bengal, kin blame crop loss due to untimely rain

Ghosh cultivated potato on four bighas of land on loan and was suffering from depression after unseasonal rain damaged his crop, his family members claimed.

Ghatal Sub-divisional Officer Suman Biswas said an investigation is underway to establish the cause of the farmer’s death and the administration will fully support his family.

Nimai Ghosh (48), also a potato farmer, allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself from a mango tree near his house in the Chhatni Uttarpara area of Purba Bardhaman district.

Also, Tarun Palui (37), a farmer from Ghoshpur panchayat of Khanakule in Hooghly district, died due to suicide over purported crop damage. The body of Palui, who cultivated about 6-7 bighas of land, was found hanging in a cowshed next to his house.

He was taken to the Arambagh Medical College where doctors declared him brought dead. Palui was under stress as already had an agricultural debt and would often pick up fights at home after their paddy crop got damaged due to the unseasonal rain, his family claimed.

“His entire crop was damaged by the recent rain. He is survived by two daughters — one of whom is still studying,” said Raghunath Barui, the deceased’s neighbour.