Imphal, Nov. 28: Angry customers today vandalised two State Bank of India (SBI) branches near Imphal and Congress workers staged a sit-in here condemning the demonetisation move.
A few hundred customers had queued up in front of an SBI branch located inside Manipur University at Canchipur in Imphal West since early morning. They turned violent when bank officials informed them that each customer could withdraw only Rs 2,000 due to cash shortage.
Some agitated customers pelted stones at the bank, damaging windowpanes. A lone police officer, deployed at the bank for security, sustained injuries after being struck by such a missile.
The police brought the situation under control by pacifying the customers. The bank suspended operations for the rest of the day and people had to go back empty-handed.
"Trouble erupted when three or four persons demanded that they be allowed to withdraw Rs 24,000 each. When I said that there is not enough cash, some of them started pelting stones. We have suspended transactions and we will resume tomorrow," branch manager Pranab Sen said.
This bank usually serves teachers and students of Manipur University and also customers residing around the university complex.
According to RBI guidelines, the weekly limit for cash withdrawals from banks is Rs 24,000.
The customers blamed the bank manager for the trouble. They claimed that the customers turned violent after the manager told them that the bank could not provide more than Rs 2,000 each and he could not ensure that all those in the queue would get the money.
Customers attacked another SBI branch in Leimakhong, on the outskirts of Imphal city, after the branch also put a cap of Rs 2,000 each on withdrawals.
"The customers got angry after the bank announced that only Rs 2,000 each would be given as there was not enough cash at the bank and they started pelting stones at the bank. The protesters even dismantled the boundary wall of the bank," an eyewitness said.
Eyewitnesses said no policemen were seen at the bank when it was attacked. Later police came and brought the situation under control.
Pressure for more cash is increasing at all banks in the state and long queues can be seen outside ATMs and branches every day.
Many people are having to spend three to four hours in the queue.
Former vice-chancellor in-charge of Manipur University Prof. Amar Yumnam said today's attack at the university bank was "politically motivated".
Congress workers today staged a sit-in at the gate of their head-office in the city as a part of the AICC's nationwide protest against demonetisation and its impact on the people.
"There is no improvement in the situation. It (demonetisation) has severely hit daily wage earners, small traders, farmers, labourers, everybody. We will continue to protest against demonetisation," said Manipur PCC president T.N. Haokip.
