Moneylenders' pressure costs life

Hundreds of villagers formed a human chain on Panchagarh-Chaklahat road in Kekupara village under Panchagarh Sadar upazila yesterday demanding punishment of the moneylenders who allegedly instigated a rickshaw-van puller to commit suicide.

The villagers said Abdul Khalek, 25, of the village bought a battery-run rickshaw-van for Tk 52,000 three months ago.

Khalek took loan of Tk 35,000 from several moneylenders of the village. During the last several days the moneylenders, especially Suruzzamal, 40, put pressure on him to repay the amount.

On Tuesday when Khalek went to Chaklahat bazar on his rickshaw-van, Suruzzamal and the other moneylenders detained him and forced him to sell it for Tk 35,000 toTaherul Islam, 27, one of their accomplices.

They also insulted him in front of the people in the bazar.

Moneylenders Suruzzamal, Fojo, 40, Saiful, 25, and Naram Mia took the money that Khalek owed them.

Suruzzamal gave Khalek only Tk 50 and told him to buy poison and take it. Khalek took the poison at around midnight.

Seeing Khalek's condition, his family members took him to Panchagarh Sadar Hospital. He was later taken to Rangpur Medical College Hospital as his condition deteriorated. He died there on Wednesday.

Victim's wife Mohida Begum filed a case with Panchagarh Police Station, accusing Suruzzamal, 40, Fojo,40, Saiful, 25, and Taherul.

Suruzzamal and other accused could not be contacted as they went into hiding.