Govt urges victims of loan sharking to file complaints

The government has urged the victims of loan sharking to file complaints along with substantial evidences. The complaint filing should be done within August 21, according to a notice issued by the taskforce formed to recommend for the controlling of loan sharking. The taskforce was formed on Friday acting on a decision by the Ministry of Home following the direction by Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba.

"In view of a network of loan sharking across the country, a public notice has been issued asking the victims to file complaints in the respective district administration office along with substantial evidences," read the notice issued by the taskforce coordinator Dr Bhishma Kumar Bhusal.

Efforts were on to book those involved in the illegal activities, said the Ministry. The taskforce under the leadership of Chief District Officer, Kathmandu organised talks with the victims of loan sharking from Pratappur and Susta Rural Municipalities in Nawalparasi (West), who have been protesting the illegal activities in Kathmandu by forming a struggle committee.

The taskforce is coordinated by Home Ministry's joint-secretary Dr Bhishma BhusalOther members of the taskforce are Nepal Police Central Investigation Bureau's Senior Superintendent Dinesh Acharya, Home Ministry's under-secretary (law) Shree Krishna Poudel, Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office's Superintendent of Police Krishna Prasad Koirala and National Investigation Department's deputy-investigation director Mukund Marhattha. Likewise, CIB Deputy Superintendent of Police Roshan Khadka is the taskforce member-secretary.

The taskforce has been assigned to submit a report within a month. It will visit those districts reporting the incidences of loan sharking, find out such causes and suggest ways for a solution. It will establish inter-bodies coordination to book those involved in this practice and recommend ways for containing the crime in the future.

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