Unable to bear loss of Rabi crop due to unseasonal rain and hailstorm, six farmers in a village in the district today threatened to commit suicide by immolating themselves but their bid was foiled by the police and district officials.
"Six farmers tried to immolate themselves at Ranuchak village under Nathnagar police station. They poured kerosene over their bodies in front of a nationalised bank," Senior Superintendent of Police Vivek Kumar said.
"Our personnel were present there, after getting information about their plan. They stopped the farmers from committing suicide," he said.
The farmers had informed others that they would immolate themselves, as the loss of Rabi crop due to rain and hailstorm had financially crippled them and their families, he said.
Deputy Collector Land Reforms Sudhir Ranjan was also present to persuade the farmers against killing themselves.
Police said, agriculture department officials were talking to the farmers who have been assured that report related to crop loss will be submitted to the state government and they will be helped to tide over the financial loss.
Meanwhile, the farmers said they tried to immolate themselves as banks had been forcing them to repay loan at a time when they were going through financial crunch.
