Debt-ridden farmer sets crop on fire, jumps into it

A debt-ridden farmer committed suicide by setting fire to his crop and then jumping into the blaze in Mandya district on Thursday, while another from Kalaburagi died after consuming poison.

Ninge Gowda, 60, a small farmer of Ganadahosuru village, Pandavapura in Mandya district, was said to be in distress over the debts he incurred after taking loans for treating his son who was handicapped in an accident. On Thursday morning, he went to his sugarcane field, set the standing crop on fire and jumped into it. 

He is survived by wife and son. Three years ago, Gowda’s son met with an accident and broke his leg. He had raised several loans to pay for the treatment. His debt is said to be around Rs 1.6 lakh. 

Deputy Commissioner Ajay Nagabushan announced a compensation of Rs 1.5 lakh. Another debt-ridden farmer — who had consumed poison at Nelogi village in Kalaburagi district on Wednesday — died on Thursday.