Suicide pact by farmer’s family over debt, boy survives

According to police, Arjunan (50) from Thammampatty near Attur in Salem, who used to cultivate a leased land, met with severe loss due to insufficient rains over the last few years. 

“He had borrowed Rs 3 lakh on credit from one Selvakumar, a farmer from the same neighbourhood. Faced with heavy loss, Arjunan failed to pay both principal and the interest it incurred. The lender put pressure and frequently abused him,” said the police. 

Depressed over the developments, Arjunan consumed pesticide along with his wife Vennila (35) and two sons Mohan (12) and Prakash (8) on Tuesday night.

The incident came to light on Wednesday morning, when neighbours checked on the family members as they did not come out from the house for a long time. They found the couple and their younger son dead, while the younger one was struggling for life. He was immediately rushed to Attur government hospital. The boy had told the police that they had taken the extreme step due to severe financial problem. 

On information, Thammampatty police reached the house recovered the bodies and sent them for post mortem. A case has been registered and further inquiries are on.