'Bank officials harassing farmers for loan recovery'

The protesters alleged that the bank officials attempted to embarrass a borrower-farmer by beating drum in front of his house and assaulting him, in an effort to recovery the loan availed by him. They demanded suspension of the officials involved.

BJP district president N M Ravinarayana Reddy cautioned that the bank authorities will be held responsible for any consequences of harassing the farmers. It forms the bounden duty of officers to proceed with recovery measures according to law. They will face repercussion from the public if the measures go out of way.

Taluk president Ashok Kumar who addressed the protesters on the occaasion,  said that bank authorities disburse loans only after following several procedures laid down by law and they should accordingly act within the legal framework while recovering loans too.

Zilla Panchayat member C R Narasimhamurthy, Taluk Krishik Samaj president Venkatarama Reddy and others took part in the protest.

It is said that a verbal duel ensued between a bank officers and a Venkata Reddy, farmer while the former was allegedly getting drums beaten for recovery of loan in front of Reddy’s house in Kuntachikkanahalli. The duel is said to have graduated to a scuffle .

A complaint has been registered Manchenahalli police station.