Ahead of Rahul's tour, another farmer ends life in Amravati

A day ahead of Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi's day-long padyatra in Vidarbha to highlight the plight of farmers, suicide of yet another agriculturalist has come to light.

The agriculturist, Gajanan Sheshrao Khongal, allegedly committed suicide by jumping into a well in Morshi tehsil of the district, police said on Wednesday. The 35-year-old, who had taken a loan of Rs 60,000 from a co-operative bank, took the extreme step apparently due to crop failure and mounting debt, they said.

Khongal, who owned four acres of land, left his home for farm on Monday noon, but did not return till late in the night, causing anxiety among his family members. While the family members launched a search, his body was found floating in a well in his farm on Tuesday morning, police said.

Rahul will start his 'padyatra' (foot march) on Thursday morning from Gunji village in Amravati district. The 44-year- old Amethi MP will also visit Rajana and Tonglabad villages in the district. Maharashtra is one of the States that has experienced severe agrarian crisis and Amravati division in Vidarbha has witnessed many farmer suicides this year. 

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