Bhadrak, Nov 23: A young woman was allegedly assaulted and dragged through the village after she stopped paying instalments on a Self-Help Group (SHG) loan taken by her late mother, a source said on Sunday. The incident took place in Aranji village under Bhadrak Rural Police Station in Bhadrak district.

According to the source, the woman’s mother, Manoroma Mohapatra, was a member of a local SHG and had taken a loan of Rs 70,000. Manoroma, who was suffering from paralysis, died in July this year. Following her death, her daughter Monalisa continued paying the monthly instalments and later submitted the death certificate to the SHG and the bank.

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Under SHG loan rules, instalments are not required to be paid after the borrower’s death, as the outstanding amount is settled through loan insurance, and the family is eligible for benefits. After receiving confirmation from bank officials, Monalisa stopped payments as per procedure.

However, a dispute reportedly broke out among SHG members, who insisted that the family must continue paying monthly instalments of Rs 2,830. The family alleged that when they refused, several women members of the SHG assaulted Monalisa and her sisters and dragged them publicly through the village. Monalisa was injured and was later taken to Bhadrak District Headquarters Hospital for treatment.

The family has demanded police action against the accused women and their family members. Responses from SHG representatives and local police officials were not immediately available.