Thiruvananthapuram/Kochi/ Kozhikode: The novel mode of protest Catholic Syrian Bank has planned in front of the residences of willful defaulters of loans of over Rs 50 lakh appears to be working. Employees of Thrissur-based bank staged a sit-in before 25 select defaulters of loans across the state. However, the bank on Thursday called off its protest in front of the defaulters in Thiruvananthapuram after they came for negotiating the terms of repayment.
“The planned protest in the capital was deferred as the defaulters came for negotiation,” R. Ayyappan, publicity committee member of CSB employees forum, said. In Thrissur, 500 bank officials protested in front of the offices of Maliyekkal group. Bank officials said that the firm owed Rs 25 crore after the due date for repayment of its Rs 23 crore-loan ended in 2015. A protest was also held in Chiyyaram in Thrissur.
In Ernakulam, the bank staff held the protest before the residence of a defaulter near Edappally. They had identified 30 accounts for the first phase but scaled down in the last minute as some of them were ready to clear dues. Joju Manjila, one of the conveners of the committee spearheading the campaign, said enthused by the response received by the protest in Kerala, the staff in Tamil Nadu had also planned similar action on Feb 14.
The CSB employees in Kozhikode held protests in front of 'Lee Royale' ready-made shop at West Hill Chungam and Toms Sales Corporation at Ramanattukara accusing them of trying to evade using loopholes in the laws. They held silent protests with the mouth covered in black clothes and holding placards. The establishments remained closed during the protest. "The two establishments were investing money in other businesses but not willing to pay the money they owe us. In coming days, we will intensify the protest," said E.P. Bijesh, the bank's spokesperson for Kozhikode zone.
