Ryots besiege police station to save tractor from being seized

S Subramanian (38) of Kannyapatti near Keeranur had purchased a tractor six months back with a loan of Rs 4.50 lakh through SBI, Keeranur branch. It is said, Subramanian had been paying the EMI till September and could not continue to pay off the EMI there after as there was drought like situation and he asked the bank a month’s time to settle the instalment. The demonetisation move delayed his efforts to pay back and he again approached the bank. But the bank officials were busy in exchanging the old notes. However, on Monday, when Subramanian was away from his village to attend a funeral, he received a call from the bank insisting him to pay the default sum of Rs 35,000 or else they would seize his tractor. When he rushed back, he was shocked to see the loan section officials and a few other men already there to seize his tractor. His repeated pleas went in vain and they took hold of the vehicle.  “I begged them not to seize the vehicle, but there were a few hired men who threatened me and the official was also shouting at me. I asked them to be considerate, but they did not pay any attention to my words and were keen to take my tractor away,” said Subramanian. “Finding no other go, I passed on the information to fellow farmers,” he added. The farmers went to Thirukokarnam police station and besieged the same. They protested against the bank and compelled the police to hold talks with the men who came to seize the tractor. Policemen held talks with the bank officials and they returned the tractor to the farmer upon the assurance given by the police.