IMPHAL: In a daylight robbery, approximately Rs 18.85 crore was looted from the Punjab National Bank (PNB) located in Viewland-I, the bustling heart of Ukhrul town in Manipur.
The incident unfolded at around 5:40 pm on Thursday when around ten unidentified masked assailants, armed with sophisticated weapons, stormed the bank premises, the local press reported.
Reportedly, at the time of the robbery, eight personnel from the 6th Manipur Rifles were present at the PNB, which was previously known as the United Bank of India.
The armed men executed the heist swiftly, leaving the bank in chaos.
As of the filing of this report, no individual or group has claimed responsibility for the audacious robbery.
Local authorities have not made any arrests in connection with the incident.
This marks the first occurrence of a bank robbery in Ukhrul town, prompting the Ukhrul Police to initiate a thorough investigation into what is now considered one of the largest bank heists in recent memory.
It is noteworthy that a similar incident transpired in Churachandpur in July 2023, where an Axis Bank branch, located at the junction of Teddim Road and Thangzam Road, was looted of over Rs. 1 crore.
The staff discovered the theft when the bank reopened for the first time since the outbreak of the Manipur conflict on May 3, 2023.
Following the incident, the authorities are under immense pressure to swiftly apprehend the perpetrators and ensure the safety and security of the public.
Adding a layer of complexity to the security situation, it’s crucial to note that on November 29, the United National Liberation Front, Manipur’s oldest armed underground group, signed a peace agreement with the Central and state governments in the national capital, putting an end to a six-decade-long armed movement.
