Manipur militants force closure of banks, schools for money

Transactions and other businesses at all the 15 branches of the United Bank of India (UBI) in Manipur were closed for four days from January 8 as employees struck work to protest demand of Rs 10 lakhs from the UBI by a militant outfit.

The closure not only caused inconvenience to thousands of account holders, worst affected were pensioners and government employees who draw salaries and pensions from the bank.

Although officials refused to divulge the identity of the militant outfit, a senior Manipur police official said an outfit primarily-based in Nagaland made the demand in collusion with their 'local supporters'.

The bank refused to concede the monetary demand of the baned outfit.

After emissaries convinced the militant outfit of the losses local people would suffer if the bank was closed down by the authorities in the wake of their monetary demands, the militant outfit withdrew the demand without any condition, sources said.

Insurgent organisations involve in armed struggle of late have resorted to making demands from various institutions including banks and schools, a senior police official said.

The official who did not want to be named said a Manipur-based militant outfit recently demanded a huge amount of money from a school in Khumbong area in Imphal west district. As words spread on this, parents started withdrawing their wards from the school hostels.

A statement issued by the school appealed to parents to bring their children as early as possible. Not many parents, however, had responded.

The statement said security has already been provided at the school campus.

Sources in the police said they have registered a case in connection with monetary demand from the school.

Meanwhile, in a similar incident, a militant organisation has forced closure of two private hospitals, Imphal Hospital and Research Centre and Lancol View Hospital, in Imphal.

According to hospital sources, the outfit was demanding Rs 5 lakh from each of the hospital.