india

Updated: Dec 17, 2016 19:40 IST

Two farmers allegedly attempted suicide in separate incidents in two Madhya Pradesh banks, police said on Saturday, underlining rising desperation among people unable to withdraw cash since the shock ban on high-value notes.

In Uttar Pradesh’s Aligarh, one person allegedly suffered a heart attack and died on Saturday after he was unable to deposit money in his bank account as the branch did not function due to ruckus created by some people over withdrawing cash.

The incidents will give opposition parties a fresh handle to attack the government over its decision to scrap 500-rupee and 1000-rupee banknotes which they say have led to the death of more than 100 people across the country.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has defended the clampdown, saying the short-term pain of will lead to long-term gains for the country.

Since the November 8 announcement, MP too has seen snaking queues in banks and ATMs with people lining up for long hours, most of them to withdraw cash.

Police said a 40-year-old soyabeen farmer, identified as Radheyshyam Prajapati, allegedly consumed pesticide while standing in queue at a Central Bank of India branch in Mandsaur on Saturday.

He was said to be depressed after failing to encash a cheque despite visiting the branch for 23 days, police added.

Mandsaur collector in-charge Arjun Singh said action will be taken against bank officials if any negligence was found on their part. The farmer was admitted to a government hospital.

In Ashok Nagar, a 45-year-old farmer allegedly tried to hang himself inside the Madhyanchal Grameen Bank at Pranpura after he was allegedly refused to withdraw Rs 10,000 for three consecutive days. Bank employees overpowered him and sent him home.

Kushwaha said he wanted to withdraw money for treatment of his son who is suffering from typhoid.

“He was standing in queue, but when his chance came, our cash was exhausted,” bank manager Vivek Kumar Jain said.

“We are helpless, we cannot help everyone.”

However, no police complaint was lodged over the suicide attempt.

(With inputs from HTC Lucknow)