KATHMANDU, JULY 10 More than 200 victims of exploitative loan sharking, locally known as meter byaj, have begun a 15-day march from Janakpur to Kathmandu to press the government to address their long-standing grievances and implement stronger legal safeguards. Organised by the Kisan Mazdoor Andolan Nepal, the 'Justice March' began on Thursday from Tirhutia Gachhi in Janakpurdham under the leadership of the movement's chairperson, Avadhesh Kushwaha. The protesters are demanding the cancellation of fraudulent loan documents, stricter laws against predatory lending, the formation of a dedicated tribunal to hear meter loan cases, investigation into the assets of alleged loan sharks, restoration of victims' confiscated property and measures to ensure fair financial transactions.

Kushwaha said participants would submit their demands directly to the government upon reaching Kathmandu. He warned that if authorities fail to respond, the victims would intensify their protests through sit-ins, demonstrations and other forms of agitation. The movement's leaders argued that despite the government's formation of three commissions and one task force to address the issue, victims have yet to receive meaningful justice due to poor implementation of recommendations.

According to the organisers, this is the third justice march launched by meter loan victims. Movement secretary Manoj Paswan warned of a nationwide protest if the government continued to ignore the victims' demands. The decision to organise the march was endorsed at a meeting of the movement committee in Chitwan last week. Organisers said the campaign aims to bring the issue of predatory lending and victims' rights to the centre of national attention.