Yavatmal: Three farmers from Vidarbha allegedly died by suicide recently over mounting debts. The incidents came to light on Monday. The victims were identified as Raju Chudduke, 49, from Yavatmal district, Umesh Bagmare, 37, from Bhandara district, and Pawan Bhakre, 45, from Amravati district.Chudduke, from Bhamb village of Ralegaon taluka in Yavatmal, owned 1.39 hectares of agricultural land at Mudhapur Ujad and was burdened with an outstanding crop loan. Sources in family said he had pinned hopes on the farm loan waiver scheme. On July 25, he visited the Central Cooperative Bank branch at Ralegaon to check the beneficiary list. After discovering that his name was not on the list, he reportedly returned home distressed. Later that night, around 10 pm, he allegedly consumed poison at his residence. He is survived by his wife and two young children.Bagmare, from Bothli village in Lakhandur taluka in Bhandara, hanged himself on Sunday after repeated crop failures in the past few years that led to an increase in his debts, said sources. He owned three acres of farmland. For the past few days, he had been under mental stress, said sources.Bhakre, from Taroda (Domak) village of Morshi taluka in Amravati, was found hanging in a hut on his farm. He mentioned a few names in his suicide note, said police. A few years ago, Pawan took a loan of 1.85 lakh at 2.50% interest from a moneylender after mortgaging his farmland as security. Even after repaying 2.10 lakh, he did not get the land back, said sources.
