KATHMANDU, July 12: Victims of exploitative loan-sharking practices have resumed their "Walk for Justice Against Loan Sharking" from Janakpur to Kathmandu, demanding a permanent solution to problems related to usury and fraudulent loan documents.
The march, which began on July 10 from the historic Tirhutia Gachhi in Dhanusha, entered its fourth day on Sunday. According to Nirga Nabin, coordinator of the Joint People's Rights Front, the protesters have been covering an average distance of 25 kilometres a day.
By the fourth day, the group had reached Sarlahi and planned to travel through Rautahat, Bara, Nijgadh and Hetauda before arriving in Kathmandu.
Organised by the Central Committee of the Farmers and Workers Movement Against Loan Sharking, the march has brought together around 300 victims from 35 districts across the country. The campaign is being led by Awadhesh Kushwaha, chairperson of the Loan Shark Victims' Struggle Committee.
Nabin said the current government and the ruling parties had pledged during the election campaign to resolve the problems faced by loan-shark victims but failed to honour those commitments after coming to power.
Victims of foreign employment scam losing hope of getting justi...
"Prime Minister Balendra Shah had addressed a gathering at the same Tirhutia Gachhi in Janakpur during the election campaign, saying that people would no longer need to come to Kathmandu to demand their rights and should only visit the capital to see Pashupatinath and Swayambhunath," Nabin said. "Believing that commitment, we waited three to four months to see the government's work. But the government has completely failed to implement the promises made in its political manifesto or resolve the loan-sharking problem."
He said the government had used the issue of loan sharking to secure votes but failed to address it even in its "100 days, 100 programmes" agenda. Despite repeatedly drawing the attention of the Ministry of Home Affairs and other agencies, the government has shown neither a clear understanding of the issue nor sympathy toward the victims, he added.
Victims also claim that authorities have increasingly issued arrest warrants against loan-shark victims in various districts instead of taking action against the actual perpetrators. They allege that legal loopholes are being used to place victims under legal pressure while lenders continue to escape accountability.
According to Nabin, more than 2,500 complaints and arrest warrants have been issued in Dhanusha district alone, with similar cases reported elsewhere. "Loan-shark victims can no longer stay safely in their own homes. Instead of arresting the moneylenders, authorities are treating the victims like fugitives and putting them behind bars," he said.
He also alleged that some lawmakers elected from Madhesh Province maintain close ties with moneylenders, making it difficult for victims to receive justice.
Despite heavy monsoon rains, landslides and muddy roads, the marchers have continued their journey. They are relying on donations of rice, lentils and other food collected by local district committees and spending nights in temples and public rest houses as they travel toward Kathmandu.
Nabin said previous laws, procedures and agreements signed with the government to address loan sharking had not been implemented effectively, forcing victims to launch another protest.
Loan-shark victims have been lobbying the state for justice since 2022. Under the leadership of Manoj Paswan, chairperson of the Loan Shark Victims' Struggle Committee, 72 victims walked for 11 days from Bardibas to Kathmandu. That movement resulted in a five-point agreement with the government led by then Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal in March 2023.
The second march began on January 30, 2024, when around 400 victims simultaneously set out from Mechi and Mahakali before converging in Kathmandu. That protest concluded with a four-point agreement with the government on March 12, 2024.
As the protests continued, the government formed a three-member Commission of Inquiry on Unfair Transactions (Loan Sharking) on March 12, 2025, under the chairmanship of former judge Baburam Regmi.
The victims say they have been compelled to launch another march on foot because repeated protests and successive agreements with the government have failed to deliver justice.
