Microfinance company's loan recovery turns into a communal brawl in Silchar's Malugram

Anarun Begum Mazumdar and Ayesha Begum Mazumdar took a loan of Rs 40,000, from microfinance company Arohan. According to Mashuk Ahmed, branch manager – Rongpur or Arohan, they have not paid a single EMI in the last six months and that is why, a team of recovery agents along with the group head, went to the beneficiaries house.

Arohan is a Kolkata headquartered microfinance institution providing group and individual credit products to customers in Assam, West Bengal and Bihar. The group that had Anarun Begum Mazumdar and Ayesha Begum Mazumdar, was led by Leela Kurmi.

Mashuk Ahmed informed that two girls, four boys and the group head went to their house and they were informed that they have a resident admitted to the hospital which is why they are not able to pay the EMIs. “They were not available so my staff spoke with them over the phone. The call has been recorded too. They told my staff to confiscate the cylinder and keep it in the office. They will clear the dues and collect the cylinder. As per their suggestion, we removed the cylinder.”

However, Ayesha Begum Mazumdar countered, “We did not ask them to confiscate the cylinder but they did it forcefully. They took away other items including cash kept in the house. We missed only three EMIs as our mother is admitted to the hospital.”

As soon as the team walked out with the cylinder, the locals of Malugram, Goniala area stopped them. They started protesting against such forced recovery. All six of them were stopped at the spot and kept hostage. After Mashuk Ahmed reached the spot, he too was gheraoed.

The Officer-in-charge of Silchar Sadar Police Station rushed to the spot with forces and rescued the Arohan staff. The OC spoke with the loan beneficiaries and said that they can lodge an FIR for the Police to investigate the matter. The locals did not stop the Police on duty.

Meanwhile, when the staff were kept hostage, a group of men tried to rescue them. The protesters informed that they have no issues with the staff, but they are protesting against the mode of recovery. However, the group kept on insisting that they will rescue the staff. In front of the Police officials, the group of men issued several warnings loud and clear. And they did as they said.

A few hours after the Arohan staff were rescued, the tension broke in the Malugram Idgah area. Shop in the Idgah complex was vandalised, stones were pelted and E: rickshaws were damaged. DSP, Cachar Police Dr. Kalyan Kumar Das, OC Silchar Sadar rushed to the spot with a huge battalion of CRPF jawans and brought the situation under control.

The area witnessed communal tension in 2020 too and considering the vulnerability, the Police have initiated the riot controlling measures. The situation was brought under control at night itself.