Politicos assail banks for pressurising farmers

MDMK general secretary Vaiko said the employees of the private agency were entrusted with the job of collecting loans from farmers had tried to seize the tractor of farmer Gnanasekaran, who was pleading with them that he would repay the dues in two months. But, the employees had pushed the farmer who fell down and died, he said.

Echoing similar views, CPM state secretary G Ramakrishnan too charged that the private agents had assaulted the farmer leading to his death. The farmer had only sought two months to repay the dues after harvesting paddy. He had also sold sugarcane to a private sugar mill for Rs 3 three lakh and the arrears amount is yet to be paid to him.

CPI state secretary R Mutharasan demanded that a murder case be registered against on the bank manager and the agents who harassed the farmer. He alleged that the private agents hired by the bank had attacked the farmer leading to the death and added that sugar mills owed the farmer rupees three lakh as arrears. 

Thamizhaga Vazhvurimai Katchi leader T Velmurugan said the farmer was paying the loans properly for four years and he had sought two-month time to repay the remaining dues. 

Loss in agriculture was the main reason for the farmers to demand two months’ time for loan repayment.