Chennai: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notice to the State Government in connection with self-immolation incident in Tirunelveli district alleging harassment by a money lender. Three of a family died in the incident.

The commission said that it was not only shocking but also showed total lack of responsibility on the part of the police and other officials concerned.

“The tragic incident transpires that in many parts of the State, usurious interest rate is being charged by the moneylenders and if borrowers fail to pay the interest, they are physically and mentally harassed,” NHRC said in the notice. It also felt that not only authorities were not taking right action, there was widespread belief that police joined in harassing those who had borrowed money.

In the particular case, labourer Esakkimuthu who attempted self-immolation had submitted petitions to the District Collector six times during the weekly grievance redressal meeting and yet no action was taken, it noted.

The Commission issued notices today to the Chief Secretary, the Director General of Police, the District Collector and the Tirunelveli Superintendent of Police and asked them to submit their reply in four weeks.