Farmers in landslide-hit areas protest against violation of moratorium orders

The moratorium announced by the State government on loan repayment and revenue recovery measures to support farmers affected by last year’s multiple landslides in Vilangad has been allegedly disregarded by a section of private bankers and financiers in Kozhikode district. Although the government order is valid until March 2026, recovery measures are already under way, ignoring the brewing public protest.

Distraught farmers, who have sought the support of various farmers’ organisations to take up the matter with the higher authorities, complain that neither the government nor the district administration appears aware of the hostile action. They warn that it is likely to soon impact low-income families in rural areas such as Vanimel, Valayam, Chekkiyad, Thinoor, Thuneri, Edacheri, Narippatta, and Nadapuram. According to them, most private bankers and financiers are defying the government order, claiming the moratorium applies only to government sector banks.

In response to the villagers’ concerns, some prominent farmers’ organisations have decided to launch an indefinite protest in front of the banking firms proceeding with recovery measures. They say more local farmers’ forums and action committees are expected to join the protest if the bankers refuse to follow the government guidelines. Karshaka Congress functionaries in Kozhikode, who openly criticised the bankers’ move, pointed out that the moratorium declared by the government on March 15, 2025, should be extended to all eligible persons in six villages in and around Vilangad. They allege that the bankers’ actions have come at a time when farmers are already struggling due to the “unsatisfactory relief aid” from the State government.

“The moratorium was declared based on the recommendations of a district-level committee chaired by the District Collector. All bankers have a legal responsibility to comply without excuses,” said a former functionary of We Farm, a forum of settler farmers in Kozhikode district. 

Johnson Kulathinkal, State general secretary of Kisan Janata, said the government should at least declare a six-month-long interest-free moratorium on all types of loans availed by farmers to support the ongoing rehabilitation process in the landslide-hit areas of the State. He also alleged that even cooperative banks in Kozhikode district had initiated recovery measures against farmers, disregarding their financial crisis.