Imphal, January 10: Inspite of information that the State Government had assured to enhance presence of security personnel at some branches of the United Bank of India (UBI) the striking employees of the financial establishment are apprehensive of returning to work due to the looming threat by an armed group who had served a demand note of Rs 10 lakh.

The ceasework strike by employees of all the 15 UBI branches operating in the State entered its third day today even as the two officials from Kolkata and Silchar units who arrived her yesterday to defuse the crisis left today after solution proved elusive inspite of several round of meetings.

Deputy General Manager of the bank's head office Girish Sharma and Chief Regional Manager (Silchar) Atul Kumar Shikdar, before their departure, called on the Chief secretary Jarnail Singh, DGP Y Joykumar and other senior State officials to discuss the issue and chalk out ways to resume normal chores of the UBI.

According to a senior manager of the UBI, Girish Sharma and Atul Kumar were assured by the State authorities to strengthen security cover in some of the bank's units.

The official duo also discussed the current problem with the employees but could not arrive at any substantial conclusion.

Suggesting that the officials were firm in not conceding to the UG's demand, the Senior Manager also said, "Our two bosses gave no explicit words for bringing about an end to our crucial problem as they are deadly against paying money to banned organisation.

"Since they have taken stock of the situation they might convey their stance on reaching the head office." Expressing that the employees yielding to the UG pressure and coughing up the demanded amount is out of the question at this juncture, he also highlighted that left with no other option the employees are being compelled to persist with the ceasework strike till the armed group concerned honours the employees' call for withdrawing the demand threat.

Confiding that the two officials had suggested upon impressing civil society organisations of the State in finding out an amicable solution to the impasse, the Senior Manager informed that a special meeting attended by representatives of numerous banks operating in the State was convened at the main branch of SBI today.

Consequent upon resolutions adopted at the hurriedly convened meeting hosted under the banner of United Forum of bank Unions, Manipur State Committee representatives of nine nationalised banks and three cooperative sector banks.

In addition to conveying its moral support to the cause and plight of the UBI employees, a decision was arrived at for staging protest on January 14 .

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