The Hindu : Debts drive one more to suicide

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Mar 30, 2004

Kerala

Kerala

Debts drive one more to suicide

By Our Staff Reporter

KOZHIKODE, MARCH 29. Bank debt and chronic illness claimed one more life in drought-hit Wayanad today.

According to the police, Vettikattil Vijayan (36), hailing from Kokkuzhi in Vengapally grama panchayat, committed suicide after consuming poison last night as he was unable to repay bank loans. The bank had reportedly initiated revenue recovery proceedings against him.

Vijayan was found dead in his house this morning by the local people when they tried to rescue his wife who had set herself on fire. She had been admitted to the hospital with severe burns, the police said. Vijayan had been bed-ridden for some time due to a spinal injury.

Two persons have committed suicide on account of debt in Wayanad district in the last couple of days. P.S. Suresh (28), a farmer hailing from Thirunelli, ended his life by hanging himself at his house on Sunday. He had taken bank loans for cultivation in his 9-acre plot in Thirunelli grama panchayat. Water from the Kabani river was used to irrigate the crops. However, the severe drought affected the crops. The police said that Suresh had lost his mental balance in the last one week.

In the last one month, five persons committed suicide in Wayanad district. But police are still not sure as to the exact cause for the suicides.

A senior officer said that the police usually recorded statements based on information furnished by the relatives and neighbours of those who died. .

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