In Nepal, indefinite hunger strike by those affected by microfinance excesses

In the protest against the excesses of microfinance institutions, the victims have been on an indefinite hunger strike in the district administration office in Jhapa. The victims have been on the hunger strike for the past five days, claiming that microfinance institutions have caused them sorrow in various ways.

 

Even though the state government has repeatedly informed the victims, they say they entered the protest after not receiving any response. They claim that taking loans from microfinance institutions is supposed to be easy, but it results in daily struggles. The victims, mostly women, have taken loans ranging from 25 thousand to five lakh for various purposes.

 

However, Looja Rai, the coordinator of the Jhapa Campaign against microfinance institutions, has said that the excesses of microfinance institutions such as Mirmire, Chimik, Nadeep, Nerude, and NAC Asia have gone beyond limits, prompting them to launch a campaign against microfinance institutions. Rai, who is leading the campaign, has been staging protests with hundreds of victims demanding justice.

 

Shivaram Pokharel, the chief district officer, stated that no one has approached the administration with complaints about the problem caused by microfinance institutions. Nevertheless, the victims on a hunger strike are seeking justice for their problems caused by microfinance institutions.