PRESS RELEASE

New Delhi, 14th March, 2016

The National Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognizance of media reports that a young farmer, Arumugam, aged 26 years, of Orathur, District Cudallore, Tamil Nadu, committed suicide after officials of a private finance firm seized his tractor, abused and insulted him to recover Rs.2 lakh due towards the loan. Reportedly, he was also beaten up by police over non-payment of loan.

The Commission has observed that the contents of the news reports, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of human rights of farmers in Tamil Nadu. Accordingly, notices have been issued to the Chief Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu calling for a factual report within two weeks.

According to the media reports, carried today, on the 14th March, 2016, due to the reluctance of the nationalized banks, the farmers in Tamil Nadu were forced to seek loans from private finance companies. Reportedly, Arumugam had taken a loan of Rs.7 lakh from a firm for purchasing a tractor and had repaid Rs.5 lakh. He was feeling ashamed and frustrated at the treatment meted out to him and consumed poison and later died at Primary Health Centre, Keezhapavur.

This is the second case in less than a week's time reported about torture on indebted farmers in Tamil Nadu. It may be recalled that last week also, the NHRC had taken suo motu cognizance of media reports alleging beating of a farmer in Thanjavur district in the State by police and the private bank officials over non-payment of the remaining amount of loan he had taken to purchase a tractor, which they had come to forcibly confiscate.

The Commission had observed that it approves the realization of debt through lawful means but totally disapproves the forcible recovery by torturing farmers. Torture and brutal attack for recovery of loans would be a serious violation of human rights.

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