SIRAHA, JULY 25
A demonstration was held in Siraha's Golbazaar today against usurers.
Scores of usury victims took to the street seeking action against those involved in usury and investigation of their property besides the demand for concessional loans to the poor.
Speaking at a corner meeting following the demonstration, social activist Sangharsha Dahal noted that usury has affected the lower middle class, the poor and those regarded as the low caste. "It's because of these predatory loan sharks who lend just a hundred rupees but make papers of triple that amount that many families have lost their houses and property," Dahal lamented. The demonstrators also lamented how the police administration favours usurers despite clear instructions from the prime minister to take action against them.
"Even the prime minister has directed action against loan sharks but as the administration seems reluctant to take action citing lack of necessary law or something, the inaction appears to have emboldened the exploiters further," Dahal explained, adding that their agitation would continue until the usurers were brought to book.
Civil society leader Manoj Kumar Paswan of Aurahi Rural Municipality, on his part, stressed the need to launch a social campaign against usurers.
A version of this article appears in the print on July 26, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.
