Wayanad officials to intervene in farmer’s case
Kerala Gramin Bank remained closed for fourth day due to public protest
By : DC Correspondent
Update: 2015-11-03 07:02 GMT
Wayanad: The Wayanad district administration is expected to step in soon to ensure justice for Sukumaran, the farmer who was imprisoned due to his failure in remitting loans last week at Sulthan Bathery.
The Irulam branch of the Kerala Gramin Bank (KGB) which filed an eviction petition against Sukumaran despite attaching his 75 cents of land, remained closed for the fourth consecutive day due to public protest.
The farmer was remanded in judicial custody for two weeks on Friday when he surrendered before the Sulthan Bathery sub- court.
Wayanad district collector Kesavendra Kumar told DC that he would explore ways to ensure justice for both the farmer as well as the bank.
“We were immersed in the election campaign and now we will examine the issue in detail,” he said. The District Lead Bank officials also have brought the issue to his attention.
The KGB had sought the intervention of the district administration to open the Irulam branch of the bank which has been closed by police citing law and order issues.
Meanwhile, the farmers’ organizations have decided to intensify the agitation against KGB if the authorities fail to ensure justice for the farmer as promised earlier.
All-India Kissan Sabha leader P. Krishnaprasad told DC that this was a classic case of how the bank haunts a farmer who take loans.
If the authorities fail to make the Kerala Gramin Bank withdraw the eviction petition filed in court against the farmer by Wednesday, the farmers would take to the streets, he added.
Sukumaran had availed of a business loan of Rs 90,000 from the bank mortgaging his 75 cents of land in 1999 and he had remitted higher amounts than the principal, it was pointed out.