District collector Sandeep Nanduri told reporters a special cell would be formed along with a helpline to deal with the issue of moneylenders
In a gruesome incident, a couple attempted self-immolation after setting their two minor daughters on fire in front of the Tirunelveli collector's office in Southern Tamil Nadu on Monday, after being allegedly harassed by a moneylender.
While the man is battling for his life at Tirunelveli Government Medical College Hospital, his wife and two daughters succumbed to the severe burn injuries.
Daily wager Isakki Muthu, along with his wife Subbulakshmi and two children aged 5 and one-and-a-half years, attempted self-immolation protesting inaction by officials on the moneylender.
Isakki Muthu's brother, Gopi, alleged that his brother had borrowed Rs 1.40 lakh to start a business from the moneylender, and repaid the lender a sum of Rs 2.34 lakh, including interest. However, the lender allegedly was harassing Muthu for more money. This forced Muthu to approach the police, who refused to accept a complaint and even threatened him, he claimed.
Subsequently, he said that his brother lodged a complaint with the district collector six times, who directed police to initiate action against the lender under the Prohibition of Charging Exorbitant Interest Act. He alleged that despite repeated reminders from the collector's office, police did nothing and, in fact, harassed the family even more.
Unable to put up with this, Muthu, along with his wife and kids, came to the collector's office to air their grievances. The couple then poured kerosene on the family and set themselves ablaze.
District collector Sandeep Nanduri told reporters that a thorough investigation would be conducted. He said that a special cell would be formed along with a helpline to deal with the issue of moneylenders.
The incident happened in the presence of several people, including police personnel at the collectorate. Shell-shocked by the immolation, the onlookers and police threw sand on them to put out the fire, but by then all four had been completely burnt.
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