ARARIA, Sept. 30 -- In a move to protect women borrowers, especially Jeevika Didis, from coercive loan recovery practices, police in Bihar's Araria district have issued an advisory directing microfinance institutions not to take harsh measures against them. The step comes as many of these women have already received financial assistance of Rs.10,000 from the state government to promote their businesses. Araria Superintendent of Police (SP) Anjani Kumar, who issued the advisory, said, "If any coercive recovery measure is reported from anywhere, police will act swiftly against the microfinance institutions and their employees involved." The SP said inputs were received that some microfinance institutions were preparing to mount pressure on women beneficiaries of the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojna, prompting police to step up security for them. All police stations in the district have been alerted, and beneficiaries-particularly women-have been asked to report such incidents to their nearest police station. Several cases of harassment and harsh measures by recovery agents have been reported in the past, and in some instances women were driven to suicide following humiliation and harassment. The Araria police action has been widely appreciated, especially by women associated with self-help groups under Jeevika, a state-run livelihood programme. "This is indeed a noble and commendable step initiated by the police," said one beneficiary, urging for continued protection so that women entrepreneurs can carry out their businesses without fear. She expressed hope that police would continue to actively support women against coercive tactics by microfinance institutions."...