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Two members of family die in suicide pact

BERHAMPUR: Financial problems, including private loans, led to mass suicide attempt by a five-member family of a small trader at Polasara in Ganjam district in the wee hours on Friday. Two of them died and the rest are fighting for life.

Three children of the family are struggling for life at MKCG Medical College Hospital of the city.

Their parents have breathed their last making them orphans. No one at Polasara could believe that Ashok Prusty (40), who owned a small fast food shop and his family, could opt for such a drastic step.

Prusty had a flourishing business. But he was overburdened with debts especially private loans.

According to his youngest son Amrit Prusty (11), who is admitted in the MKCG medical college hospital, their father had calmly come back from his shop at around 10 p.m.

At late night he had made some special drink by grinding something, which he had made each one of their family members drink. By morning, Ashok died in his house.

At wee hours the neighbours came to know about the suicide attempt by the family. The surviving family members were immediately shifted to the hospital. But Ashok’s wife Damayanti Prusty (35) died on her way.

The three children of the family, including two daughters, Srima Prusty (15), Reshma Prusty (14) and the son Amrit, were undergoing treatment at hospital. Doctors were making all efforts to save them.

Ratnamala, sister of Ashok who resides in the city, was also shocked by the drastic decision taken by her brother. She said she had got hints about some financial problem of her brother when he came to her for some financial help for readmission of his children in school. “But he never told his financial problems were so great. At least he could have vented out his problems before someone to ease out the tension that led to the suicide attempt,” she said.

It may be noted that similar mass suicide attempts occurred in rural areas of Ganjam district.

On Feb. 18 three members of a family had attempted suicide by burning themselves at Keluapalli village of Kavisuryanagar block who could be saved. On Feb. 29 five members of a family of Thuruburai village under Hinjli police station had consumed poison. A twelve-year-old girl died while the rest could be saved. In May last year Simanchal Prusty of Brahmanchai village, his wife as well his mother had consumed poison to commit suicide following family quarrels.

His wife and mother had died while Simanchal survived.

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