By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Owing to the delay in repaying the money stolen by an employer of the State Bank of India to the people of Amlarem, the FKJGP Amlarem Circle along with the customers on Monday demanded an immediate explanation and clarification from the SBI in ‘black and white’ before November 29.
It has been almost three years since the money was allegedly stolen by Sample Pohthmi, an employer of the SBI, amounting to the tune of almost Rs 5 crores which belongs to over 400 customers of that area is, yet to be paid in full and since 2009, only Rs 1 crore 50 lakhs has been paid to over 80 customers.
“Time after time, we have been demanding for an answer from the SBI on the matter in writing, whether the bank will be able to pay back the pending money or not”,
FKJGP Amlarem Circle secretary Herman Khonglah told reporters here on Monday.
In a meeting held at Enowell Hall in Amlarem on Saturday, the federation along with the customers of the area have resolved to give the bank one last chance to call for talks failing of which they will be compelled to resort to various kinds of agitations, including stalling down every branch of the SBI located in the Ri War Jaintia.
It was informed that the FKJGP had earlier issued a one-month deadline to the SBI to clarify on the matter in ‘black and white’ from September 22 to October 21. However, the Bank is yet to comply with this demand resulting in a hue and cry of the deprived customers.
According to Khonglah, in the recent years, the bank had promised to pay back the money due to the public bit by bit, however, the people has expressed their inability to trust the bank since it has been almost three years for the bank to repay the full amount.
While admitting that the bank had for the past few years brought about a change in the area in terms of saving, investments and others, the FKJGP secretary however said “The inability of the bank to tackle this problem has made the people lose their trust on the said bank.”
Further, the FKJGP has informed that there will be another meeting at the same venue to discuss on the further course of actions on November 29 from 10am onwards. “Prior to this date, we will hold agitational programmes to pressurize the bank to response to our demands”, Khonglah added.
