Bihar CM Nitish Kumar orders prompt action on debt-ridden farmer's suicide

A 55-year-old debt-ridden farmer from Bihar's Bhojpur district allegedly committed suicide on Sunday. He was upset over the extensive damage done to his crops during last week's hailstorm.

The Bihar government has taken cognizance of the matter and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday ordered "prompt action".

Dashrath Bind, a resident of Bind Toli in Barhara block of Bhojpur district, was worried over the damage done to his mango yield after rain and hailstorm lashed the district last week. Bind, who had taken a loan of around Rs 2 lakh, was found hanging from a tree in his mango orchard.

"Bind's family members have informed that he had borrowed money from some villagers and bought mango orchards, hoping for a good harvest this year. However, the thundershower and hailstorm drowned his hopes, and he had been upset since," a Bhojpur police officer said.

He added, "We have also been informed that Bind had got into an argument with his son and we are probing if that was also a trigger for his suicide."

The CM expressed grief over Bind's death and directed principal secretaries of the State Agriculture Department and State Disaster Management Department to take prompt action in the matter. Following the order, a team comprising administrative officials and police of Bhojpur district led by the Deputy Development Commissioner, have commenced their probe.

Officials said the probe report will help in taking appropriate action as per the provisions of the state government's 2015 scheme for aid to distressed farmers.