Daijiworld Media Network - Kasargod (SP)

Kasargod, Feb 12: Jaison Joseph (47), a rubber farmer from Valakunja, Pallathadka, hanged himself at his residence on February 9. He had called police on January 15 this year to inform them that armed naxals including women had visited his house and forcibly collected rice, vegetables and other items. Badiadka police who conducted investigation had found that the information was false.

Joseph, a native of Kannur, had shifted his base to the current village ten years back. He resided in a rented house and worked as rubber tapper. He had availed a bank loan of four lac rupees to build a new house. However, because of steep fall in rubber prices, he had not been able to repay the housing loan.

The police, who had verified his claim of naxal visit, had found that he had concocted the story to discourage other rubber tappers from coming to this area for work. He is survived by wife, a son and a daughter.