The National Human Rights Commission on Monday issued notice to Tamil Nadu over the suicide of a farmer following humiliation by police and a financial firm.
Taking cognizance of the incident following media reports, the commission said the farmer was beaten up by officials of a private finance firm which also seized his tractor, to recover a Rs.2 lakh loan from him. Reportedly, he was also beaten up by police over non-repayment of the loan. The farmer committed suicide after that.
The commission observed that the contents of the news reports, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of human rights of farmers in Tamil Nadu.
Accordingly, notice was also issued to the chief secretary of the government of Tamil Nadu calling for a factual report within two weeks.
According to the commission, this is the second case in less than a week's time of torture of indebted farmers in Tamil Nadu.
"The commission observed that it approves the realisation of debt through lawful means but totally disapproves the forcible recovery by torturing farmers. Torture and brutal attack for recovery of loans would be a serious violation of human rights," said a statement from the commission.
