THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government remains inactive even as several people, who lost their jobs and income in the lockdown, ended their lives after falling prey to the blade mafia. Many policemen are behaving like the henchmen of the blade mafia. In two years, not even a single case has been registered against the usurers.

A man, who had paid Rs 10 lakh as interest for a loan of Rs 3 lakh, committed suicide the other day after he received a threat from the blade mafia. Several similar incidents have taken place in the state over the last two years. The police should urgently intervene on the model of 'Operation Kubera' that was undertaken during the UDF rule.

Small entrepreneurs, farmers and housewives have all fallen prey to the blade mafia. The usurers will lend the money by accepting house and property, vehicle documents and checks as collateral. In case of default of interest, it will be added to the principal. Benami money belonging to several bigwigs is being lent at high interest. Criminal gangs will be collecting the interest from the borrower. These criminal gangs often threaten the borrower and cause immense mental trauma.

Several incidents have taken place where the police had written off complaints against the blade mafia as money disputes. It was a CI who asked a farmer in Palakkad to sign the stamp paper by writing down the amount demanded by the blade mafia.