Irked farmers stage semi-nude protest

Condemning the action of Bank officials serving notices to farmers to repay loans taken when the State is reeling under drought, farmers under the aegis of State Sugarcane Growers Association staged a protest in front of State Bank of India (Lead Bank) branch in T.K. Layout here yesterday.

The farmers to vent their despair were semi-nude with stones kept on their heads and with an empty plate in their hands.

The farmers, led by Association President Kurubur Shanthakumar, shouted slogans against State and Central Governments urging both to waive farm loans.

Arriving on the spot, SBI Deputy General Manager Srinivas and Lead Bank Manager Shivalingiah clarified farmers that the Bank had no intention to harass farmers. They assured to discuss the issue with the Deputy Commissioner.

Earlier to that, the farmers led by Shantakumar held a meeting at Kuvempu Park near Gun House and discussed on the harassment by Bank officials on farmers. H.B. Siddaiah, a farmer from Hadli village in Malavalli taluk, who arrived for the meeting, said that the canal in the village was dry for the last seven years and his family of five were living with rice from ‘Anna Bhagya’ scheme. He lamented that the Bank was pressurising him to repay the loan driving him to the wall with no option left but to end life.

Association General Secretary Devaraj and other farmer leaders participated in the protest.