Noida: Frustration over missing deposits at Punjab National Bank’s Aichhar branch boiled over on Monday as hundreds of affected customers gathered for a mahapanchayat and tried to pull down the bank’s shutter to lock the premises.The protest, joined by farmers, lawyers and labour organisations, turned tense as police intervened. The account holders demanded a firm deadline for the return of their money, refusing to settle for further assurances.The gathering began around 11am on the bank premises, with protesters insisting that a senior official come out and explain when their deposits would be restored. Around 12.30pm, a delegation of farmers met the branch manager, but returned dissatisfied with the response. The protesters then gave the bank time till 1pm to return their money. When no official came out by the deadline, they moved towards the entrance and attempted to pull down the shutter and lock the branch. Police stopped them, triggering heated exchanges.Additional DCP (Greater Noida) Santosh Kumar and Beta-2 police station in-charge Vinod Kumar reached the spot and tried to pacify the crowd. Addressing the protesters, Santosh Kumar said CBI was investigating the alleged fraud. He said the bank had received 58 complaints from affected customers, of which 16 had been resolved and around Rs 7.8 crore refunded. The remaining claims were being processed, and all affected account holders would receive their money by Saturday, he assured them.Police also said customers whose money had been credited back would need to complete the know-your-customer (KYC) process again before withdrawing it.The assurance, however, failed to convince many protesters, who said repeated promises had not restored their entire deposits. Advocate Umesh Bhati said account holders were facing considerable financial distress and wanted the full amounts credited without further delay.Farmer organisations gave the bank and authorities time till Thursday to refund all affected customers, warning that they would launch a larger agitation if the deadline was missed. The police assurance of Saturday, therefore, failed to resolve the standoff.The alleged Rs 35-crore fraud has shaken confidence among customers, particularly farmers who had deposited their savings and land compensation in the branch, often in fixed deposits. The mahapanchayat ended around 2.15pm, with protesters reiterating their demand for full refunds and accountability from the bank management.
