(Tribune)
Suicide by a farmer in Berinag tehsil of Pithoragarh has caused a protest at several places in the state. While the Opposition Congress asserted that suicide by a debt-ridden farmer in the state was a matter of serious concern, the ruling BJP criticised the Opposition for linking the farmer’s suicide to a loan debt without ascertaining the reason behind taking the extreme step.A resident of Berinag, the victim, Surendra Singh, had committed suicide by consuming pesticide. The victim is supposed to have taken a loan of Rs 75,000 from Sadhan Sahakari Samiti five years ago. He subsequently took another loan of Rs 50,000 from Grameen Bank at Berinag.In the backdrop of this alleged farmer suicide, the Congress today staged a demonstration in Dehradun and burnt the effigies of the Central and state governments.
