Date:13/06/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/06/13/stories/2006061309000500.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Anantapur

Ryot's bid to end life

Staff Reporter

ANANTAPUR: Farmers from several villages of Kambadur mandal laid siege to the branch of State Bank of India at Kambadur in the district on Monday, demanding sanction of fresh crop loans and enhancement of credit per acre.

One farmer and CPI activist Yellappa Gowd attempted suicide allegedly by trying to consume a pesticide. But, the police present there snatched the pesticide bottle from the farmer in time to prevent the suicide attempt.

According to the information reaching here, farmers gathered from surrounding village, service area of the bank branch, and met the branch manager. They requested him to sanction fresh crop loans and also enhance the credit to Rs. 5,000 per acre in case of renewals, as being done by other banks. They also urged him to sanction loans for self-employment schemes like Rajiv Yuvashakti.

The branch manager reportedly refused to budge and said he could not help them as the bank guidelines did not permit enhancement of credit and fresh loans. Then the farmers came out and launched a protest immediately by laying siege to the bank branch. They also sent the bank staff out forcibly and locked the bank.

Sub-Inspector of Police of Kambadur Swamulu tried to sort out the matter by speaking to the branch manager, but in vain as the latter refused to accept even a single demand of the farmers. They also erected tents outside the bank premises and continued the protest.