Probe ordered into farmer s suicide

Ranchi June 12 (IANS) The Jharkhand government on Monday set up a four-member team to probe the suicide of a farmer on the outskirts of Ranchi.

Kaleshwar Mahto 44 committed suicide on Saturday. He is survived by his wife two daughters and parents.

According to family members he was in tension due to a loan he had taken. He left behind a suicide note which said he was in distress over the loan.

Jharkhand Agriculture Secretary on Monday set up a panel to probe the incident.

Former Chief Minister and JMM leader Hemant Soren visited the distraught family and asked the government to pay them Rs 10 lakh in compensation.

Farmers are leading a precarious life in the state he said.

Jharkhand Urban Development Minister C.P. Singh had another view: Whether this is a suicide or murder will be revealed after the probe.

--IANS
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