Daijiworld Media Network - Kasargod (SP)

Kasargod, Nov 15: Jagannath Poojary (53) resident of Chiplukote near Kinningaru in Bellur panchayat in the district hanged himself on Sunday November 14.  Poojary, who worked as attender in Vaninagara primary health centre, had spent heavily for treating his two endosulfan-affected children, who were born blind.  Mounting loan raised for the treatment took a toll on his mind, locals said. The two blind children have been orphaned as a result of their father's demise.

On Sunday morning, Poojary had visited  his agricultural field. As he did not return for a considerable time, family members went searching for him. They found him hanging from the branch of a cashew tree. Although the rope was cut, he was brought down and taken to hospital immediately, he did not survive.

Poojary's children, Harikiran (20) and Harismita (19) were born blind and their names appear in the list of endosulfan-affected people from Bellur. They drew pension meant for endosulfan-affected people but Poojary had raised loan for providing treatment to his children with the hope that they would be able to see the world one day. As he had received notices from banks repeatedly to repay lacs or rupees raised by  him, he was stressed, and decided to commit suicide, his relatives say.

Postmortem of the body was conducted and funeral was performed on Sunday evening. Adur police, who have registered a case of suicide, are investigating.