TURA, Dec 12 - A well-to-do farmer, who had recently deposited his entire life�s savings into a new bank account, committed suicide last Thursday, after being unable to pay back an amount of Rs 10,000 he owed a neighbour.
A distraught family of the farmer has now sought to move the State Government seeking compensation for the death and even threatening to go to Court if the State Government did not heed their appeal.
Wajning G Momin (50), a resident of Sindilgre in South West Garo Hills (SWGH) district, was by profession a farmer, with yearly earnings from his farming running into lakhs of rupees. He, like many in the Garo Hills region had never kept money in banks but preferred to keep the money with him. However, the recent demonetisation forced him, after he was cajoled to do so by his family, to open an account and put his entire life savings of over Rs 50 lakhs into the bank.
Momin had just prior to the demonetiation announcement started the construction of a new house. His plans, however, met with a cash crunch road block as labour payments became overdue.
�He borrowed an amount of Rs 10,000 from his neighbour with the promise to pay it back in three days. When he went to Ampati town, 19 km away to withdraw Rs 20,000 from his account, lack of cash in the bank led to him being given only Rs 6,000,� said a family member. Unable to bear the shame of not being able to live up to his word, a desperate Momin hanged himself that same evening.
�He had never borrowed money from anyone and not being able to repay it drove him into a desperate spot,� said a family member. A visibly angry family of Momin has blamed demonetisation for the farmer�s death.
Reacting to the suicide, Local MLA of Salmanpara, Winnerson D Sangma felt there was a need to review the withdrawal limits for the North Eastern State given that the States were Christian dominated and Christmas was around the corner. �While we understand demonetisation, the fact that this is the biggest festival for us (Christians), the Central Government needs to relook and relax the current prohibitions of withdrawal of money,� he said.
�We fear there will be repeat of such cases if these restrictions are not relaxed. Families can break up due to the lack of cash as young children will not listen to their families given that it is the festival of celebration,� felt Winnerson.
Meanwhile, Meghalaya Pradesh Youth Congress (MPYC) president, Richard Marak has sought for counseling from bank officials as well as State Government to ensure no further loss of life due to demonetisation.
