NHRC issues notice to TN govt over indebted farmer's suicide

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notice to Tamil Nadu government over suicide by a farmer allegedly after he was insulted by a private financial firm and tortured by police over non-payment of pending loan.
The Commission has taken suo motu cognisance of media reports that Arumugam (26) of Orathur, Cudallore district, killed himself after officials of a private finance firm allegedly seized his tractor, abused and insulted him to recover Rs 2 lakh due towards the loan, a statement issued by the NHRC said.
Reportedly, he was also beaten up by police over non-payment, the NHRC said.
"The contents of the news reports, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of human rights of farmers in Tamil Nadu," the Commission observed while issuing the notice to the Chief Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu, calling for a factual report within two weeks.

According to the media reports, farmers in Tamil Nadu were forced to seek loans from private finance companies due to the reluctance of nationalized banks ti grant them the same.
Arumugam had taken a loan of Rs 7 lakh from a firm for purchasing a tractor and had repaid Rs 5 lakh. He consumed poison after he was allegedly humiliated. He died later at Primary Health Centre, Keezhapavur, the statement said.

This is the second case in a week's time about the torture of indebted farmers in Tamil Nadu.
Earlier, the NHRC had taken suo motu cognizance of media reports alleging that a farmer in Thanjavur district was thrashed by police and private bank officials over non-payment of the remaining amount of loan. They had also come to forcibly confiscate the tractor which he had bought with the loan.

The Commission observed that it disapproved forcible recovery of debt by torturing farmers, terming it as a serious violation of human rights.