Harassed over repaying loan, 28-year-old farmer ends life in Karnataka

Bengaluru: Allegedly harassed by officials of a microfinance firm, a 28-year-old agriculturist and cook died by suicide in Kanakapura, Ramanagara district. J Arun, a resident of Gowdalli village, consumed poison on Feb 28 midnight and breathed his last Sunday. Arun is survived by his parents and younger sister.His father, C Jayanna, filed a complaint with Kanakapura Rural police, blaming two officials — Manu and Gangadhara — from the finance firm's Kanakapura office of abetting his son's suicide. "We detained Gangadhara and are looking for Manu," an officer said.According to Jayanna, Manu and Gangadhara visited their house on Feb 28 night. "They forced us to repay the unpaid loan amount. When we sought time, they abused us and told us to drink poison and die," the FIR read. "Unable to bear the insult, Arun went to a nearby vacant land and drank poison. Alerted by passersby, I shifted him to the hospital but he died.""Investigation revealed that Arun's mother took a loan of Rs 3 lakh from the finance firm. He and others were paying monthly instalments, but nothing was paid in the last seven months," a police officer said. (If you are having suicidal thoughts or are in need of emotional support, call suicide-prevention helplines — Arogya Vani: 104, Sahay Helpline: 080-25497777)
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