Farmer commits suicide

KALPETTA: A farmer allegedly committed suicide by consuming poison owing to financial stress at Kumbaleri, near Ambalavayal in the district. The police identified the dead as Babu alias Abraham, 48, of Mathokkil at Kumbaleri. The family members found Abraham in a critical stage at his house. Though he was admitted to a private hospital at Sulthan Bathery, he died. His family members said he took the extreme step owing to financial problems. Abraham had taken loans worth Rs10 lakh from various sources, including financial institutions and friends, for higher studies of his elder daughter and agriculture purpose. Though he had planted plantain on 2.5 acres of leased land this year, it was a failure, they added. Abraham is survived by wife, Jessy, and two daughters.