GUWAHATI, Nov 15: At least eight branches of the United Bank of India (UBI) has been forced to close down in Manipur following regular threats and extortions by militant groups during the past one year.

Disclosing this here today, P K Phukan, vice-president of the United Bank Officers' Association (UBOA) central council, said that employees of the UBI were under constant threat from militants particularly in the hill districts of Manipur, leaving the authorities little options but to close down some of its branches.

The branches closed down had been functioning in the hill districts of Chandel, Senapati, Ukhrul and Tamenglong in Manipur. The customers of these branches were now served from nearest branches in the plains districts.

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