A farmer attempted suicide by dousing himself in petrol outside the District Collector’s office in Korampallam, Thoothukudi, on Monday.

The farmer, Kanakaraj, decided to take the extreme step since his tractor had been taken away by a finance company he had taken a loan from.

Speaking to media persons, he said, “We took a loan and bought a vehicle. But they didn’t give any document for that. They kept saying they will send the document, but they never did. After that, I did an RD through the bank. I have those documents with me.”

In his complaint to the Collector, Kanakaraj stated, “I have paid an advance of Rs 3,00,000. I was not given any receipt for this. I was not told anything about the loan. They only asked me pay a monthly sum of Rs 45,000. In addition to this, once in three months from the date I bought the vehicle, I have been paying Rs 15,000.”

Kanakaraj went on to say that on March 23, at 10 am, the finance company took away his tractor without his knowledge. “I have been paying my dues correctly. Only one more payment is due from me. For that one payment, without informing anything me, they have taken my tractor and revolving pipe. I have faced a loss of Rs 5,00,00 because of this.”

Kanakaraj also asked that action be taken on those who took his tractor away. The farmer also alleged that the finance company was asking him for more money and he was unable to pay it.

Kanakaraj was at the District Collector’s office to submit the petition asking for his tractor to be returned to him so he could do his work. However, he suddenly took out a bottle he had kept with him and doused himself in petrol.

The police officials on duty at the District Collector’s office stopped him and threw water on Kanakaraj. A police official there assured him that appropriate action will be taken.