Shillong, Sept 27: The banks in Meghalaya were forced to close on Sunday ( Sept 27) with pressure from groups.
The action was against opening of bank on Sunday after the union of banks declared closure from September 28 to 30 demanding work only 5 days in a week.
The Khasi Students’ Union, HITO and Confederation of Meghalaya Social Organizatins (CoMSO) ensured closure of bank branches across Khasi, Jaintia and Garo Hills.
The KSU, through its district, circle and unit wings, conducted checks across Khasi and Jaintia region and shut branches of SBI, Punjab National Bank, Meghalaya Rural Bank, Indian Overseas Bank and UCO Bank in Shillong, East Khasi Hills, Ri-Bhoi, Eastern West Khasi Hills and both Jaintia Hills districts.
The Achik Youth Welfare Organization led the shutdown in all five districts of Garo Hills.
In a statement, the KSU said the drive was not just an enforcement but a message.
“This action is to clearly demonstrate that Sunday is a sacred day with special meaning for Christian believers in our land,” the union said.
The union said the closure was to demand respect for the day of worship in a state where the majority are Christians.
“We appeal to all banks to respect the special nature of this day so that employees also get time with their families and can fulfil their religious duties,” KSU assistant publicity secretary Pynshngaiñ Lyngdoh Lyngkhoi said.
The HITO said its central and district leaders visited PNB, SBI, South Indian Bank, YES Bank, Canara Bank and Central Bank of India branches in Mawkyrwat, Dawki, Shillong, Mairang and other areas.
“After receiving information that banks would open on Sunday, we decided to go to the branches that opened, to express our opposition and to urge the authorities to respect the sanctity of Sunday in Meghalaya,” HITO said.
The organisation acknowledged the Ministry of Finance directive asking public sector and regional rural banks to work on September 27.
“While we understand the need to maintain banking services, running government or bank work should not undermine Sunday, which is a day for church service, worship, prayer and togetherness with family and society in Meghalaya,” HITO said.
It urged the authorities to consider the state’s special religious and socio-cultural identity before imposing such decisions.
