Protests against finance firms as two more commit suicide

Hyderabad, Oct 11: Two people committed suicide Monday in Andhra Pradesh after microfinance companies allegedly harassed them for non-repayment of loans. Opposition parties have urged the government to take action against the firms while a rights panel has asked police to submit the reports on suicides.While an auto driver committed suicide in Warangal district, a woman ended her life in East Godavari district. Another woman attempted suicide by consuming pesticides in Karimnagar district and was battling for her life at a local hospital.Their relatives alleged that microfinance firms were harassing them for nonpayment of loans.Meanwhile, the opposition parties have alleged that dozens of people had committed suicide in the state in the past few weeks. Expressing concern, Communist Party of India (CPI) state secretary K. Narayana has urged the state government to take immediate steps in this issue.The microfinance firms are accused of luring people with low interest rates. However, they later charge high interest rates, allege the parties.Meanwhile, the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC), taking suo motu cognizance of media reports on suicides, issued notices last week to the district collectors to submit their reports by Oct 29. Commission chairman Kakumanu Peda Peri Reddy also directed the superintendents of police to take action in this regard.
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