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Brutal Attack on Banker in Punjab Sparks Outrage, AIBOC Demands Immediate Action
The All India Bank Officers Confederation emphasised that the ongoing attacks not only endanger the lives of bank officials but also threaten the very foundation of the banking system. The environment of fear being created is causing significant anxiety and uncertainty among the banking fraternity.
Author: Saurav Kumar
Published: September 3, 2024
In a deeply concerning incident, a Branch Manager of a Public Sector Bank in Sunam, Punjab, was brutally assaulted by a borrower and his accomplices during a recovery operation on 31st August 2024. The All India Bank Officers' Confederation (AIBOC) Punjab State has condemned the attack and called for immediate and decisive action from the State Level Bankers' Committee (SLBC) and the Punjab government.
The attack left the Branch Manager severely injured, necessitating specialised treatment at a Mohali hospital, where he underwent head surgery due to the gravity of the injuries sustained. The AIBOC has expressed its alarm over the increasing violence against bank officials, particularly those involved in loan recovery, and has urged the government to take measures to protect banking personnel.
Rising Violence Against Bank Officials
In its letter addressed to the SLBC, Rajiv Sirhindi by Secretary of AIBOC Punjab, highlighted the disturbing trend of attacks on bank officials. The AIBOC noted that officers and staff are bound by the strict recovery policies framed by their respective banks, which leave them with little discretion or freedom to halt recovery measures, except under specific directives or in cases of natural calamities. Despite these constraints, bank employees are being targeted and subjected to violent attacks during the course of their duties.
The AIBOC emphasised that the ongoing attacks not only endanger the lives of bank officials but also threaten the very foundation of the banking system. The environment of fear being created is causing significant anxiety and uncertainty among the banking fraternity, who are already under immense pressure to perform amidst challenging circumstances.
Call for Government Intervention
AIBOC has called upon the Punjab government and relevant authorities to urgently intervene and issue appropriate instructions to district administrations to ensure the safety of bank officials. The organisation has also demanded stringent action against those responsible for such violent acts.
In their statement, AIBOC underscored the need for governments and elected representatives to step up and safeguard the welfare of the banking community. They stressed that any failure to address this issue could have long-lasting repercussions on the culture of repayment and the overall stability of the banking sector in India.
The letter concluded with a firm demand for the Punjab Finance and Home Ministries to prioritise the protection of bank employees and uphold the rule of law in the state.
Recurring Attack on Bankers
In recent months, bankers across India have increasingly become targets of violence in various states. On August 13, 2024, the Branch Manager of Bank of Maharashtra’s Warod Budruk Branch in Jalna district was assaulted by a local politician. This incident followed a similar attack on a State Bank of India (SBI) official at their workplace in Beed, Maharashtra.
Similar violent episodes have also affected officials in Rajasthan Marudhara Gramin Bank and Prathama UP Bank in recent months. As these incidents escalate, the call for enacting a Bankers Protection Act to safeguard banking professionals is gaining momentum.