Kollam: Michabhoomi Samaram (Residue Land Strike) leader Poojappura Samban was found hanging at his home on Monday. He was 78. Reportedly, the leader’s house was under debt and had to repay a loan of Rs 14.36 lakh at the agricultural and rural development bank before March 22. 

Samban was the last living person who took part in the Michabhoomi Samaram along with Communist leader AK Gopalan and served jail terms alongside him. Earlier, the cooperative bank had sent a notice to the leader to measure his house and plot near Kollam bypass. 

On March 5, ‘Mathrubhumi’ had published a story about the deteriorating health condition of Samban who had been suffering from paralysis. Following which, several people promised to help the leader, but no further action was taken.

Samban availed loan from the cooperative bank in 2014. Although he paid the interest for four years, things began to fall apart with the advent of the pandemic. Adding to the misery, his wife Sharada was bedridden too. 

The veteran leader, who was arrested following the Michabhoomi Samaram in 1972, later served as the district committee member of Kerala Socialist Youth Federation (KSYF) in Thiruvananthapuram and CPM local committee member in Vattiyoorkavu. 

After getting released from jail, Samban took a break from active politics and became a manager in a prominent hotel in Kollam. He is survived by son Jyothidev and daughter-in-law Preethi. 

(Suicide is not a solution to any problem. Please seek the help of a mental health expert if you are under distress. Contact toll free number: 1056)