5 of Bihar family take poison, 3 die

BHAGALPUR: Five members of a family, struggling with abject poverty and a debt of about Rs 20 lakh, consumed poison in a village in Bihar's Banka district on Friday night. While three family members died, two children are in critical condition at a hospital.

The deceased included a couple and their child (12). Children aged 8 and 16 are undergoing treatment. Police are probing allegations made by relatives and neighbours that lenders were pressuring the family to repay the loans. "If evidence confirms undue coercion, appropriate legal action will be taken," the SP said.

Police said Kanhaiya Mahato (40) ran a battery-operated three-wheeler bought on instalments from private financiers. He had also taken loans to build a house and start an eatery.

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