TURA, Dec 14 - Villagers pelted stones at the SBI Kharkutta branch in North Garo Hills district yesterday to vent their anger after they were unable to withdraw money despite queuing up for hours.
The incident occurred after many customers, who had queued up since the morning, were told that there was not enough cash at the branch to meet their money needs.
�Some people reached the bank early at 7 am to withdraw money. However, after waiting hours, they were informed that there was not enough cash.,� said a resident. �Something has to be done to ensure there is cash for all. We can�t understand why we cannot take out our own money,� added another villager.
The bank was pelted with stones though there was no report of any extensive damage to the building or people inside. Police confirmed the incident but no case was filed by the staff of the bank.
Local MLA, Cherak W Momin has appealed to the district authorities to work together with the banks to ensure adequate supply of money so that such incidents are not repeated. �It is the Christmas season and everyone needs money,� he said.
Smugglers held: Border Security Force (BSF) jawans have apprehended seven cattle smugglers in two separate incidents in South West and West Garo Hills districts.
While three smugglers were apprehended near the border in SWGH in Purakhasia, another four were caught while taking cattle in a truck near the border village of Killapara under Dalu Police Station.
Two of the culprits in the first case were Bangladeshi nationals identified as Rupantro Marak (25) of Sherpur and Sona Miya (35) of Kurimari district in Bangladesh. An Indian, identified as Nazrul Islam of Sattimari under Mancachar Police Station in Assam also arrested along with them.
Four other smugglers arrested from Killapara are residents of Goalpara in Assam. The truck, ML 09 A 5738 along with 26 heads of cattle were also seized.