A tragic incident unfolded in Diwana village, Barnala district, on Wednesday, where a 36-year-old farmer named Harwinder Singh allegedly consumed a poisonous substance at his home and died by suicide. According to the farmer organisation BKU (Ekta Ugrahan), Harwinder Singh had been suffering from severe depression caused by mounting debt. The debt accumulation was attributed to insufficient earnings from agriculture and livestock, compounded by the expenses incurred for the treatment of his ailing wife.
Farmer Union Demands Action
Chamkaur Singh, the Barnala district president of BKU (Ekta Ugrahan), expressed deep sorrow over the incident and demanded immediate government intervention. He urged the state government to waive off all debts owed by Harwinder Singh and provide adequate compensation to his bereaved family. The union stressed the urgent need for financial relief measures to prevent similar tragedies in the farming community.
Police Investigation Underway
The local police have initiated legal proceedings in connection with the case. An official stated that action is being taken under section 195 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which pertains to unnatural deaths. The investigation aims to ascertain the exact circumstances leading to the farmer's drastic step.
This incident highlights the ongoing agrarian distress in the region, with farmers grappling with financial burdens and inadequate support systems. The farmer's death has sparked renewed calls for comprehensive debt relief and mental health support for the agricultural community.
