January 31: Usury victims hailing from various districts initiated a 'March for Justice' from Mechi Bridge at Kakadvitta in Jhapa district, from Tuesday.

Organized by the Usury Victims Peasants Workers Struggle Committee, the participants, totaling 50 individuals from Jhapa, Sunsari, Siraha, and Saptari districts, have commenced a 15-day journey on foot towards Kathmandu, equipped with arrangements of food and shelter.

Half of the participants are women, reflecting the diverse impact of usury on the community. Simultaneously, another group of victims from Mahendranagar in the western part of the country has also begun their march for justice. The two groups plan to converge in Chitwan and continue their joint march towards Kathmandu.

Awadesh Kushwaha, the Committee's Central Chairperson, launched the commencement of the march on Martyrs Day, presenting a six-point demand to the government.

The demands include cancellation of all fraudulent documents associated with usury, revocation of property rights transferred to exploitative lenders, and formulation of stringent laws to address financial crimes related to usury.

Other demands include establishment of a high-powered judicial commission, opening new applications for the record-keeping of usury victims, arrest of exploitative moneylenders, and investigation of unilaterally verified usury-related deeds at the local level.

Kushwaha emphasized the urgency of government attention to the victims' demands. He warned that they would not leave the street until their demands were addressed. (RSS)