End usury, victims’ kin urge Collector

The deceased was identified as Shahul Hameed, a resident of Maraikayar Street, Siruthondanallur near Eral in Thoothukudi district. The agitating relatives laid siege to the Collectorate demanding immediate arrest of the accused and sought measures to end usury. Further, they also demanded the State government to provide Rs 20 lakh compensation to the kin of the victim and sought permanent job for a family member.

After receiving the petition, Collector Sandeep Nanduri told the reporters that the Eral police had already arrested an accused and they were taking efforts to arrest the other members of the gang. Promising immediate action against the usury complaints, he said, the victims could approach the nearby police station or submit petition to the Collector seeking action. He said that the victim’s family would be receiving possible assistance from the government side.

However, denying that the murder was by moneylenders,the Thoothukudi Superintendent of Police Arun Balagopalan based on a preliminary enquiry said that it was not a case of usury, but the victim was said to have borrowed money to run his business. On December 17 the gang setup by the moneylenders abducted him for failing to repay the money and attacked him. Following this, the victim succumbed in Thoothukudi GH on December 19. The police have picked two men so far and hunt is on to nab others, the SP said.