Residents of two villages in Cooch Behar have received deposits in their bank accounts ranging from Rs 7,000 to Rs 1 lakh since last week.

According to sources, around 40 to 50 residents of Nayarhat and Karala (a former Bangladeshi enclave which is an Indian village now) in Dinhata-II block have received the money that has been transferred to their accounts by a private finance company.

While a section of them have expressed worry over the sudden transfer of money to their accounts, some others are elated and have even withdrawn a portion of it.

The local block administration has launched a probe. Those posted at the local branches of the banks are also trying to find out what prompted the finance company transfer the money.

“We are conducting an inquiry. So far, we have come to know that money has been deposited in the bank accounts of a number of people at three local branches in Nayarhat area. Some of them have even received Rs 1 lakh each. The money has been sent via NEFT (National Electronic Funds Transfer) by the finance company from Mumbai. We have no idea why the money was sent to these people. Once we collect more information, a detailed report will be sent to Nabanna,” said Jayanta Dutta, the BDO of Dinhata-II block.

As the news spread, hundreds of people are swarming these branches every day to get their passbooks updated. “People want to know whether they too have received money,” said a bank employee.

Ranu Mian, a resident of Karala, said that on March 6 he got a text message from the bank informing him that a sum of Rs 23,771 had been transferred to his account. “I have withdrawn Rs 20,000 so far,” he said.

Nazrul Islam, who is from the same village, said he had received Rs 33,000 and had drawn a portion of it. “Many of them have drawn the money without knowing why it has been sent to them. That is why we are collecting details of all those who have received the money,” said an official posted at the BDO’s office.