Meter-Byaj Victims Protest in Kathmandu with Black Blindfolds

Victims of meter-byaj (a form of informal lending with exorbitant interest rates) staged a protest in Kathmandu, accusing the government of ignoring their suffering. The demonstrators, mainly from Siraha district, wore black blindfolds on Wednesday to symbolize the government's alleged indifference to their plight.

Allegations Against Lenders

The protesters specifically named two meter-byaj lenders—Ramlochan Gupta from Lahan Municipality-3 and Ram Kumar Mahato (Ram Babu) from Lahan-7. They alleged that these lenders had taken their land as collateral for loans of five lakh rupees each but refused to return the property even after the borrowers repaid a total of 21 lakh rupees.

Demand for Government Action

The victims are demanding strict action against such lenders, who they claim exploit vulnerable borrowers through unfair practices. They argue that despite repeated complaints, authorities have failed to address their grievances, forcing them to take their protest to the capital.

The demonstration highlights the ongoing issue of informal lending in Nepal, where many poor and marginalized citizens fall victim to predatory loan schemes. Protesters are urging the government to intervene and regulate such practices to prevent further exploitation.