Chennai: A young farmer in Tamil Nadu committed suicide after officials of a private finance firm seized his tractor to recover Rs 2 lakh dues and allegedly insulted and abused him, setting of condemnation of the AIADMK government by the Opposition parties on Sunday at the plight of farmers.
The incident came to light on Saturday, days after the 26-year-old farmer, Arumugam, was beaten up by the police in the state over non-payment of loan. Arumugam, a resident of Orathur, had taken a Rs 7 lakh loan from a firm to purchase a tractor and had repaid 'five lakh and the balance was pending, the police said.
Firm officials came to his house on March 10 and allegedly abused and insulted him in front of villagers, besides seizing his tractor, they said. Some unidentified people later attacked Arumugam, the police added.
Ashamed and frustrated at the treatment meted out to him, he consumed poison, following which he was rushed to a Primary Health Centre at Keezhapavur where he died around midnight, the police said.
The police said action would be taken against those involved. The incident came close on heels of the alleged assault of another farmer, Balan, of Thanjavur district by police over non-payment of loans worth Rs 3.8 lakh.
A video of the incident had gone viral following which NHRC had issued notices to the chief secretary and DGP, the government of Tamil Nadu, seeking reports within two weeks on the matter.
DMK president M. Karunanidhi alleged that the farmers were facing many difficulties during the AIADMK rule and there was a spike in instances of farmers committing suicide over loan repayment issues and urged them not to resort to such extreme steps.
“Elections are scheduled in two months (on May 16). Be hopeful. A government that will protect farmers’ interest will come. Then all your problems will end,” said Mr Karunanidhi.
