Hassan: In a move to prevent private moneylenders from exploiting farmers and other common people, the police in Hassan have embarked upon an awareness drive across the district, educating people against falling into the debt trap. Farmers and others are being advised to immediately alert the police, if they are harassed by moneylenders.
The drive has received encouraging response from the people, who have brought to the notice of the police the names of moneylenders allegedly exploiting borrowers.
So far, 20 cases have been booked based on complaints from the public against moneylenders. Eleven cases have been registered in Hassan taluk, four in Holenarsipur, three in Arasikere and two in Sakleshpur since the drive began. Twelve people have been questioned by the police.
The awareness drive comes in the wake of a spurt in farmer suicides and a recent incident of a financier committing suicide along with his wife and daughter in Hassan city. In his death note, the financier had narrated to the police how he was harassed by a moneylender.
Hassan Superintendent of Police Raman Gupta told Deccan Chronicle that the drive began on July 6 in the district and the police have been putting hoardings, distributing pamphlets and asking people to come out with the names of private moneylenders. By interacting with the farmers and public, policemen are advising the people to take loans from proper sources, like banks, to avoid harassment.
The police have intensified the drive especially in areas where farmer suicides have been reported, including Channarayapatna taluk. Mr Gupta said the drive will continue till the police receive petitions from the people against moneylenders.
