IMPHAL: An audacious robbery unfolded in broad daylight at the State Bank of India (SBI) branch situated in K Salbung village in Churachandpur district of Manipur on Thursday (May 02) afternoon.
Masked individuals armed with firearms stormed the branch, firing several rounds into the air before looting and taking off with approximately Rs 20 lakhs.
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The incident occurred at around 2 pm when four assailants wielding sophisticated weapons entered the SBI office, instilling fear among both staff and customers with their gunfire.
Subsequently, they proceeded to threaten employees at gunpoint, vandalizing strategically placed CCTV cameras and damaging certain machines within the premises.
Eyewitnesses and law enforcement sources confirmed that the perpetrators swiftly fled the scene, escaping towards Kangvai road in Churachandpur district of Manipur.
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In response, a rapid and extensive manhunt was launched by police and central forces to apprehend the culprits and recover the stolen funds.
This marks the second instance of such a robbery in the district in recent years.
Previously, on July 10 last year the Axis Bank branch located at the junction of Teddim Road and Thangzam Road in Churachandpur district of Manipur was targeted.
Additionally, on September 4, 2020, an SBI branch in Churachandpur fell victim to a similar robbery, resulting in the theft of approximately Rs 1.15 crore.