Mysuru, 27 Feb

A debt-ridden tobacco grower has committed suicide by consuming poison at his agricultural fields at AG Koppalu in Periyapatna taluk in Mysuru.

The deceased is Siddegowda, 41, police said.

The incident occurred on 26 February, when Siddegowda, upset over a fall in the prices of tobacco and mounting debt, took the extreme step to end his life.

According to his family members, the tobacco producer had borrowed from both moneylenders and local banks. He had borrowed more than Rs 10 lakh in loans. The money lenders had asked him to clear the loan amount, which he was unable to repay to them.

The Periyapatna police have registered a case, and an investigation is being conducted into the incident.

The steep fall in tobacco prices has resulted in anxiety among growers in the region. There was a dip in sales following a 40 per cent hike in tax on cigarettes by the Centre. As a result, several manufacturers of tobacco products did not procure raw tobacco from farmers of Mysuru and other regions in the State.

 The tobacco board has also suspended tobacco auctions in Hunsur, Periyapatna, and several other places following protests from tobacco growers following a steep fall in tobacco prices last week.