Thrashed for Defaulting on Loan Payment, Farmer Commits Suicide

Arumugam had taken a Rs 7 lakh loan from the firm to purchase a tractor, of which he had repaid Rs 5 lakh.

The Tamil Nadu farmer had a balance of Rs 3 lakh. Image used for representation. (Photo: iStockPhoto)

Days after another farmer was beaten up by police in Tamil Nadu over non-payment of loan, a young farmer in the state committed suicide after officials of a private finance firm seized his tractor to recover Rs 2 lakh dues and allegedly insulted and thrashed him.

Arumugam (26) of Orathur had taken a Rs 7 lakh loan from the firm to purchase a tractor. He had repaid Rs 5 lakh and the balance was pending, police said.

Firm officials came to his house on 10 March and allegedly abused and insulted him in front of villagers, besides seizing his tractor, they said.

Some unidentified persons later attacked Arumugam, police added.

Ashamed and frustrated at the treatment meted out to him, he consumed poison and fell unconscious. He was rushed to a Primary Health Centre at Keezhapavur by his relatives, where he died without responding to treatment around midnight.

Police said action would be taken against those involved.

The incident comes close on heels of the alleged assault of another farmer, Balan, of Thanjavur district by police over non-payment of loans worth Rs 3.8 lakh.

A video of the incident had gone viral following which NHRC had issued notices to the Chief Secretary and DGP, Government of Tamil Nadu, seeking reports within two weeks on the matter.