Banks, ATMs closure hit hard
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 08 2023: Providing some relief, curfew was lifted from 5 am to 8 am in Imphal today and Rejiya was seen riding her scooty in and around the city visiting every ATM booth known to her.

She hurried from one ATM booth to the other, block after block but found most of them shut and those which were opened had no money.

Tired and worried, Rejiya ended up exhausting precious fuel and she had to finally return home empty handed as the curfew relaxation time nears end.

She now has no money to buy rice at the nearby shop and her family has to skip dinner, and possibly meal tomorrow.

Now, Rejiya and her family are not the only ones facing this quandary.

Almost all families like her's in Imphal and elsewhere are facing the same situation with no banks opened and ATMs lacking money.

Moreover, with internet services shut down, many families are also unable to send money to their children studying outside Manipur.

Banks, ATMs closure hit hard

Notably, curfew was imposed in the whole of Manipur and internet services were shut down after violent clashes between sections of Kuki and Meitei community erupted on May 3 .

Subsequently, a 'shoot at sight' order was also issued to control violent mobs.

Speaking to this reporter, an officer of the State Bank of India, who wishes to withhold his name, said all banks were shut after the violent May 3 conflict.

He said the banks were shut as a result of the tension, subsequent curfew imposed and suspension of internet services.

The tense situation has improved slightly, but banks may not open until the Government lifts the curfew and resumes internet services, he added.

While banks may resume services when the curfew is lifted and internet services are restored, all Nationalised and non-Nationalised banks may not be able to function at their maximum capacity and this may cause some inconvenience to the public, he said.

The officer explained that the violent clashes had caused mass exodus of people of all communities to their native places for safety reasons.

Also, the clash will certainly have serious impact on the people and all bank employees alike.

Even when they are allowed to open, the banks may have insufficient staff to handle maximum transactions.

Bank employees belonging to Kuki community will be reluctant to come to the valley where they are posted for fear of being targeted.

They may even refuse to join their place of posting in the valley for quite a long time.

Likewise, bank employees belonging to Meitei community may feel the same about joining their place of posting in some hill districts, he said.

Stating that the banks may open once there is a conducive environment and when Government allows them, the officer stressed and reiterated that the institutions may be understaffed and it may cause some inconvenience to the people.

Also, replenishing ATM booths may take some time, he said.

The officer, however, affirmed that his bank will serve at its best capacity and provide some relief to the public.