NHRC notice to Tamil Nadu on brutality with farmer

"They brutally attacked him and forcibly took him to a police vehicle" the NHRC said in a statement.

The Commission, on the basis of a video clip, sent by a journalist, as well as a news report, has observed that such form of forcible recovery by itself amounts to human rights violation.

"Further, the torture and brutal attack on the person would be serious violation of human rights. Though, it approves the realization of debt through lawful means but totally disapproves the forcible recovery by torturing farmers. Accordingly, it has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and DGP, Government of Tamil Nadu calling for reports within two weeks in the matter" it said.

Justice, D. Murugesan, Member, NHRC has also observed that it is in the common knowledge that private sector banks and financial institutions, in order to recover the loan advanced to individuals, particularly farmers, use police to brutalize the defaulters.

"The intemperate and immoderate attitude of the bank officials and the involvement of the police for such forcible recovery by torturing the farmers and their servants are largely prevalent in different states of the country," read the statement.

"According to the video clip, and a news report, carried by a Tamil Newspaper today on the 10th March, 2016, at least three police personnel were beating one Balan, a farmer. He had availed a loan of Rs. 3,80,000/- from a private bank during the year 2011, for purchase of a tractor. He has paid so far a sum of Rs. 4,38,880/-. The bank demanded a further payment of Rs. 1,34,000/- and notice was also issued in this regard. However, Balan did not pay back the said amount. On the date of incident when Balan was engaged in his farm land, he was forcibly pulled down from the tractor and was brutally beaten by the police," it said.