Loan shark victims fighting hunger with puffed rice during the protest (Photo Feature)

Kathmandu: The loan shark victims have been protesting to get justice in the various cities of Kathmandu.

Native people of Dhanusha, Siraha, Mohattari, and Sarlahi, who were victimized by the loan sharks, came to Kathmandu by walking for 12 days.

The victims traced the route passing Bardibas, Pathlaiya, Hetauda, Bhimphedi, and Chitlang to reach Kathmandu.

They reached Kathmandu on Monday afternoon. But Kathmandu Metropolitan didn’t allow them to stay in Khula Manch.

The victims had no other option than to spend their night in the streets of Kathmandu. They walked all the way to Baluwatar for the protest early morning on Monday.

The demonstrators again resumed their protest in Maiti Ghar in the afternoon. They were seen having puffed rice (murahi). This seemed to be their wholesome breakfast, snacks, and lunch.

The protestors were compelled to have puffed rice and water in the scorching heat of March. They were also seen sharing a limited amount of cooked vegetables along with the puffed rice.

A majority of women, children, and postnatal mothers have been part of the protest. Their protest has been reflecting their pain, insecurity and mental trauma.

The loan sharks have been forging loan deals with poor, illiterate farmers and laborers. No matter how small the loan is, the lenders use various tactics to show an increase in the principal loan amount and capture the mortgaged properties.

The majority of the victims have been complaining that the lenders had been targeting to capture the leased properties or land by showing a huge due interest despite the periodical clearing of the interest amount.

The victims have decided not to halt the demonstration unless their needs are fulfilled. The future is uncertain but the people are in the hope of getting justice with the help of the authority.

This is not the first time that the victims have raised their voices.  They had even acknowledged their situation to the government in September. The government had signed a five-point agreement with the protestors for ending the protests.

The government has repeatedly talked about doing homework to criminalize loan sharks. But, even after six months, the situation of the victims still remains the same.

(Glimpses of the protest in Maitighar) 

(Photo: Sunil Maharjan)