CBFIN condemns attacks on bank employees

KATHMANDU: Confederation of Commercial Banks and Financial Institutions Nepal (CBFIN) has demanded security guarantees for the employees working in banks and financial institutions, and action against those attacking them. The umbrella organisation of commercial banks, development banks, and finance companies of Nepal, condemned the abuse of employees in Jajarkot district, the chain of arrests and atrocities committed at the branch office of Kumari Bank, the planned fatal attack on NIC Asia Bank, Myagdi Branch Manager Binod Sapkota and Executive Assistant Prakash Ale, on March 16. “We strongly request the government and security agencies to take full action against the culprits involved in these barbaric and terrifying incidents, which were carried out with the intention of taking the lives of senior employees of the sensitive and essential sectors like banking for the fulfilment of vested interests. “At the time when the Government of Nepal, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Nepal Rastra Bank, subordinate security agencies and all concerned have been requested to take initiatives to find proper solution to any problem through dialogue and to arrange the necessary peace and security for the operation of banking services in a fear-free environment, the brutal attack on bank employees and violent incidents have made a mockery of peace and security system of the government,” read the statement. Through the statement, CBFIN appealed to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Nepal Rashtra Bank, and security agencies to create an environment where banking services can be operated safely. Meanwhile, Nepal Bankers’ Association, Development Bankers Association Nepal, Nepal Financial Institutions Association today also issued a joint statement and demanded the authority take stringent action against the culprits after BFIs employees were being attacked one after another. The statement reads, "We strongly condemn the recent incidents of threatening, indecent behaviours and brutal attacks on the employees of BFIs lately." Furthermore, the press statement says, "We strongly object to the physical attacks, indecent behaviours and brutal assault on the employees in Jajarkot, Makawanpur, Myagdi, Sunsari, Udayapur, Kapilvastu, Rupandehi, Kaski and other districts. We demand stringent action against the culprits." These institutions have jointly called for bringing to book those instigating such types of incidences and making anarchic and fiery statements. The statement said that the banking services cannot be operated until such incidents are stopped and the security of employees is guaranteed. It is said that the employees have become terrorised and worried after the attack on the banking sector which falls under the essential and sensitive sector. According to the organisations, the morale of the entire banking sector would decrease if such incidents go up which will also jeopardise the economy. "Such activities will not be in the interest of anyone, they will instead create an unfavourable environment, will disturb social harmony and will also have a negative impact on economic activities, ultimately leading to the possibility of the economy itself crashing down. So, we urge all sides concerned to be conscious of this fact. We call upon the State bodies concerned to timely check these sorts of anarchic activities of taking the law into one's hand on the support of such irresponsible acts," reads the joint statement.