Hassan: With the rise in the suicide rates of debt-ridden farmers, Hassan police have embarked upon an awareness drive across the district, educating people against falling into the debt trap.
Farmers and others, through the drive are being advised to immediately alert the police, if they are harassed by moneylenders. The drive has received encouraging response from the people, who have brought to the notice of the police, the names of moneylenders allegedly exploiting borrowers.

Around 20 cases have been booked based on complaints from the public against moneylenders. Eleven cases have been registered in Hassan taluk, four in Holenarsipur, three in Arasikere and two in Sakleshpur since the drive began.

Hassan Superintendent of Police Raman Gupta said that the drive began on July 6 in the district and the police have been putting up hoardings, distributing pamphlets and asking people to come out with the names of private moneylenders.

By interacting with the farmers and public, the police are also advising people to take loans from proper sources, like banks, to avoid harassment.