A joint state-level investigation team of CPI(ML) and AIPWA visited Pawapuri (Nalanda district, Bihar) on July 19 to investigate the horrific suicide attempt that took place on 18 July. The team revealed that Dharmendra Kumar, who ran a small cloth shop consumed poison along with his entire family due to the unbearable burden of debt.
Dharmendra had taken a loan of approximately Rs.5 lakhs from two moneylenders, Ajay Kumar and Dharmendra Kumar alias Modiji/Netaji on which a monthly interest of Rs.50,000 was being charged. Facing continuous verbal abuse, mental harassment, and intense pressure on his family, he consumed poison along with his wife (38), two daughters (aged 17 and 14), and son (13). The wife, both daughters, and the son died, while Dharmendra is currently fighting for his life. Fortunately, a 7-year-old son survived.
Addressing the press after returning from the site, AIPWA General Secretary Comrade Meena Tiwari said that the heart-wrenching incident is a result of the anti-people economic policies of the central and state governments. She pointed out that while Prime Minister Modi was praising the “Lakhpati Didi” scheme in Motihari, in Nalanda a whole family was being pushed to death under the burden of debt.
Team member and AIPWA State Secretary Comrade Anita Singha said the incident clearly shows how the debt trap in the rural economy is claiming poor people's lives. Despite an FIR being lodged against the two lenders, the absence of any arrests so far exposes the grave negligence of the administration.
The key demands of the investigation team include:
Immediate arrest of the moneylenders.
Government guarantee for the education, upbringing, and protection of the surviving 7-year-old child. Compensation of Rs. 50 lakhs.
Free government-funded treatment for Dharmendra Kumar.
Opening of nationalised bank branches in every panchayat and Rs. 2 lakh aid for the poor.
Waiver of microfinance and private loans of poor.
Government policy to take action against usurious moneylenders.
