Burdened by debt, four members of a farmer’s family end life

Pandavpura: A farmer and three members of his family committed suicide by consuming poison in Sunkatannuru of Pandavapura town on September 22.

Nandeesh (40), his wife Komala (32), and their children – Chandana (13) and Manoj (11) – are the deceased.

In his death note addressed to the Chief Minister, the farmer said, “I met you and shared my problems with you. I have not taken this decision as a coward, but as all my efforts have been futile. Our last wish is that our bodies be handed over to the corporation so no one touches them.” 

Reportedly, Nandeesh used to cultivate sugarcane, vegetables and mulberry in the three acres of land owned by him. However, the issue of low procurement prices, increasing costs and crop failures coupled with Rs 15 lakh loans availed from banks and moneylenders began to take a toll on the family. The family even sold a portion of their land to pay off the loans but even then they were unable to clear their loans.

On the fateful day, it is believed, that the couple and their children ate food laced with poison. They were later found lying lifeless by a nearby farmer.

‘Loan waiver farce’

Lashing out at Chief Minister Kumaraswamy, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, BJP’s BS Yeddyurappa stated that the suicide of the entire family indicates that the loan waiver announced by the Congress-Janata Dal (Secular) coalition was a “farce”.