A farmer in Kharail village of Mohanpur upazila, Rajshahi, took his own life after failing to repay loans from multiple NGOs and moneylenders. The deceased was identified as Akbar Hossain (50), son of Lokman Hossain.
Family members said Akbar had borrowed 6–7 lakh taka in total, including about 4 lakh taka from NGOs, but could not repay weekly installments of Tk 5,000 after a sharp fall in betel nut prices. His son, Sujan Shah, said daily pressure from NGO workers to pay installments left his father in despair. On Monday morning, Akbar was found hanging from a betel nut tree in his own orchard.
Sujan listed loans from at least 11 NGOs, including BRAC, ASHA, Proshika, VERC, DFED, Shapla Gram Unnayan Sangstha, RIC, ESDO, Grameen Prachath, PMK, and GAK. The family’s one-bigha betel nut plantation had previously supported them, but losses this year left him unable to cope with the debt.
Mohanpur Police Station OC Ataur Rahman confirmed the death, saying the farmer committed suicide out of despair. Police said preparations were made for an autopsy, but the family refused. No case has been filed. Akbar is survived by his two sons, Sujan (30) and Suman (18).
This tragedy comes just days after another man, Minarul, reportedly committed suicide in the district after killing his wife and two children, also citing debt pressure and food insecurity.
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