2 debt-ridden farmers commit suicide in Bathinda

Two debt-ridden farmers ruined by the whitefly attack on cotton crop committed suicide on Friday night in the district.

Two debt-ridden farmers ruined by the whitefly attack on cotton crop committed suicide on Friday night in the district.

Rajinder Singh of Chak Atar Singh Wala village and Gurbinder Singh (30) of Chak Bakhtu both took poison. The former had to repay Rs 2.5 lakh to a bank, which had dragged him to court, from where he had secured bail after being declared defaulter. The latter’s family had borrowed Rs 17 lakh to cultivate cotton on 8 acres, 5 acres of which was on lease. Gurbinder Singh was under stress after the pest destroyed the crop.

Nandgarh’s officiating station house officer (SHO) Jaskaran Singh claimed to have no information about Rajinder’s suicide. Cops at the Bhucho police post handed over Gurbinder’s body to family after inquest proceedings.