Property including computers and a printer were stolen or damaged at the Kangpokpi branch of the Manipur State Cooperative Bank Ltd during the unrest, a bank official has alleged.
This is the third bank branch in Manipur to fall victim to thieves and vandals since the violence between Meiteis and Kukis began on May 3.
An official of the MSCB’s Kangpokpi branch registered an FIR with Kangpokpi police station on Wednesday, saying the crime was discovered on Tuesday when he and two other employees reopened the branch, which had been closed since May 4 because of the violence.
The properties stolen or damaged by “unknown miscreants” include six computer sets, a printer, and the hard drive of a CCTV camera, the FIR says.
“Cash vault has been broken. But no cash has been looted as the branch ha(d) already taken out the cash from the cash vault as well as from the ATM in the middle week of May, 2023, as advised by the Head Office,” the FIR says.
The website of the Imphal-headquartered bank, established on June 24, 1956, says it is supported by the state government and has been extending credit to the state’s “credit-starve” people.
A senior police officer said an investigation was on. Sources said an inside job was not being ruled out.
Employees at the Churachandpur branch of Axis Bank had earlier complained that when they reopened the bank on Monday, they discovered that cash and gold worth over Rs 1.3 crore had been stolen. The robbers are believed to have entered through the ventilator and drilled a hole through the wall of the strong room.
In mid-May, staff at the MSCB’s Churachandpur branch had discovered the theft of over Rs 11 lakh and a licensed gun, among other things, when they reopened the branch.
The branch manager lodged a complaint withNambol police station in neighbouring Bishnupur district.
Banks have been operating at reduced capacity during the unrest because of the ban on Internet services and low staff attendance.
With the volatile situation keeping the police busy, bank robbers are apparently having a field day.