Bank shifts its branch following Maoist threats in Jharkhand - India News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

Following persistent threats by Maoists, a nationalised bank in Birda village of Jharkhand state has shifted to a safer place. Bank of India's branch in Birda region was functional since year 1985. The village comes under the Khunti district of the state. But after the complaints by the bank employees regarding ransom demanded by the Maoists and threats posed to their safety, the branch was shifted to the Karra region. Bank employees seemed quite evasive on being asked about the exact reason behind the shifting. "We can't say what exactly is the reason; we were given the orders so we shifted here. One day some people came and started beating us. They slapped me so hard that I almost went deaf. So we shifted our branch here in Karra," said Soma Majhi, a bank staff. Meanwhile, customers from Birda and other adjoining areas are facing problems, as they have to travel a long distance to the bank and the new premises and facilities do not seem up to the mark for the number of customers. "The number of customers has gone up substantially, and in comparison the building and space for the bank is not adequate. We hardly get any space to even stand. There are only two computers operational in the bank while the strength of staff is large." said Fracis Horo, a customer. Jharkhand is said to be among the worst affected areas by Maoists violence. Maoists claim they are fighting for the rights of poor farmers and landless labourers, but are fast losing credibility after attacking schools, hospitals and infrastructure projects.