State extends Moratorium on Repayment of Loans

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state decided to extend the moratorium for repayment of loans by fishermen, taken from different institutions to one more year. The decision comes in the wake of the moratorium announced earlier ending on December 31. Moratorium was announced for repayment of loans taken till December 31, 2007 for buying fishing equipment, construction of houses, education of children, wedding of daughters and treatment.

Briefing newspersons after a meeting of the State Cabinet, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said the Cabinet decided to appoint a Commission to inquire into the custodial death of Sibi, a youth, while in custody at Marangattupally Police Station in Kottayam. It will be headed by retired district judge D Sree Vallabhan. The Commission will look into aspects of third-degree custodial torture and check the legality of the person's arrest and keeping him in police custody.