Malda: Angry customers pelt stones at SBI branch, smash ATM

Malda (West Bengal): A group of agitated customers on Thursday pelted stones at a branch of a nationalised bank and smashed a closed ATM in the Ratua area of the district after officials informed them that they would be unable to dispense adequate amount of cash, police said.

Several local residents of Ratua had queued up outside the Balupur branch of State Bank of India to withdraw cash from their accounts and as the branch opened, they were informed that every customer would be given only Rs 1,000, the police said.

A section of customers first tried to reason with the bank officials urging to give at least Rs 2,000 in cash, which was going on for the last couple of days, but when they came to know that there was not enough cash in the branch, they started pelting stones at its premises.

Police said a closed ATM near the branch was also smashed by angry residents.

The staff of the branch downed shutters and informed the police.

A large contingent of police personnel rushed to spot from Ratua police station and the branch resumed business after the situation was brought under control.

Malda Superintendent of Police Arnab Ghosh said there was a commotion and tempers flared while withdrawing cash from the SBI, Balupur branch, but timely intervention by the police ensured that the situation did not escalate further.

"No one has been arrested in connection with the incident," Ghosh said.