NONGPOH: Registering their strong opposition to the opening of the Langpi Dehangi Rural Bank (LDRB) at Sabuda, a grand total of 589 local residents of Raid Nongtung areas under the aegis of the CSWO (I) Sabuda Circle on Thursday demanded the immediate closure of the bank failing which they informed to resort to agitations.
In a memorandum submitted to Ri Bhoi Deputy Commissioner Pooja Pandey at her office chamber, the CSWO (I) under the leadership of its president Ester Lyngshiang and general secretary I Shabong said that the people of Raid Nongtung (Block-II) vehemently opposed the opening of the Langpi Dehangi Rural Bank at Sabuda by Assam and demand its immediate closure as it is opened in a disputed areas. Notably, LDRB is sponsored by State Bank of India with its head office in Guwahati in collaboration with Assam Govt. and Govt. of India.
“We have survived without any bank for the past sixty years and they can survive without one till the border dispute is settled by the two states Meghalaya and Assam,” the memorandum read.
They also maintained that there is no urgency for the opening of the bank as claimed by handful of self vested people while further stating that “we the people whose signature is appended below resolved to embark an agitational programme if our demand is not met.”
In response to the memorandum, Pandey assured the delegation that she would take up the matter seriously. “I will ensure that the bank does not start functioning and I have already taken up the matter with the SBI Head office at Guwahati, Assam.”