ALAKKODE: Edapparakkal Jose (63), a farmer from Noolithamala near Pathanpara, was found dead yesterday morning having hanged himself. The family relied on farming and wage labor for their livelihood. He had leased land in Karamaramthattu cultivating bananas regularly. However, last year's yield of 2,500 bananas was affected by wild animal disturbances and bad weather resulting in minimal income. This led to difficulties in repaying loans taken from cooperative banks and self-help groups.

After attending Mass at St. Anthony's Church in Pathanpara yesterday morning, Jose approached a self-help group seeking financial assistance. Unfortunately, he was told that the loan had been allocated to another person and he needed to settle his current dues first. Jose left promising to return with the money. However, he didn't come back home for a long time and his family couldn't find him. Subsequently, he was discovered hanging from a cocoa tree in a nearby farm.

Jose, who had settled in Karamaramthattu years ago, recently bought a 10-cent plot in Noolithamala and built a small house. His wife, Lisy has been battling lung disease for several years. The Alakkode police conducted an investigation and sent the body to Pariyaram Government Medical College mortuary for post-mortem examination.