Bank staff caught in spat shifted

Sangrur, September 13

The transfer of three officers of the Punjab Gramin Bank, who had testified in favour of a Dalit woman allegedly abused by a senior officer of the bank last month, has angered the community. They have announced to launch an indefinite protest if the transfers are not cancelled immediately.

Dalit organisations submitted a complaint to Sangrur DC on Friday and demanded a high-level inquiry.

As per the complaint, a senior manger (SM) posted at the Sangrur regional office of the bank allegedly used derogatory language against peon Geeta Rani on August 29. After hearing the abusive language, Rani fell unconscious in the bank and was admitted to Sangrur civil hospital, where she remained admitted for six days. Three bank officers testified in front of the police against the SM. The SM then apologised in front of the police and both parties reached a compromise on September 4.

“The bank management has transferred all three bank officers, Pali Ram Bansal, Gurdeep Singh Bhullar and Harvinder Singh to Hoshiarpur, Tarn Taran and Amritsar districts, respectively. We will not tolerate it and launch an indefinite protest if the transfer orders are not cancelled immediately,” said Vijay Lankesh of Adhi Dharm Samaj. — TNS