KOZHIKODE: Faced by threats from the blade mafia, noted artist K P Mohan Kumar, better known as Paris Mohan Kumar in the art world, has sought the help and support from cultural leaders.At a press conference here on Monday, Mohan alleged that his entire savings had been taken away by the blade mafia by trapping him in a cheque case.
“It was in 2009, when one of my friends faced a financial crisis that I had borrowed Rs 2 lakh from a private money lender, a native of Kasargod, by giving two blank cheques as guarantee. Though the money was returned within a week, the cheques were not given back. And, I had left the state in connection with my profession. After a few months, I was told that I had to pay over Rs 10 lakh to the man”, Mohan said.
“An additional amount of Rs 5 lakh had also been given to the money lender to settle the issue. Even after that, he continued his threat and demanded more money. His men destroyed my paintings worth lakhs of rupees, kept at my house, and I was manhandled. My house and properties in Azhiyoor pachayat near Mahe are now facing a recovery threat following a case filed by the man,” Mohan said. Mohan said he would soon lodge a complaint with the police under the ‘Operation Kuber’, launched by the state police to curb the blade mafia menace.