A Brave Act of Positive Contribution

It was a Saturday, the 11th February, 1986, a group of underground people (militants) numbering about seven with full arms attacked our Senapati branch to loot money at around 10.40 am . On the fateful day, 2 guards were inside the Banking hall, 2 were at the entrance gates and another 2 were taking rest in their barrack. Six of them had gone to the residence of Superintendent of Police, Senapati which is about a half Km. from the branch for supply of Meal (Khana) where some of their Batallion Jawans were on duty. Branch Manager (Kh. Mani Singh), who was on leave on that day was absent from Office. Officiating Accountant + Cash Officer + 4 clerks and 2 Sub-staffs were present on that fateful day.
Havalder- Ch. Nanadan Singh came to Cash Officer for exchange of Fresh notes and small coins as he was proceeding on leave for a month in the next 2/3 days. With great satisfaction and salutation to Cash Officer and Cashier, the Havalder went out with the exchanged note and coins. After keeping the exchanged Note and coins in the barrack, he returned back to entrance gate for duty. A young smart guy entered and started pushing aside the other customers at the gate and trying to enter the banking hall. While seeing this, Havalder asked him to raise his hands for body search. The smart guy took out a pistol and pointed at him and asked Havalder to raise his hands up.
But the courageous Havalder, instead of raising his hands up, tried to snatch the pistol and pushed him back forcefully. Then, that guy shot at Havalder’s chest. Though, he was shot and injured, the courageous Havalder had a good fight with the intruder at the entrance gate. At last, he was pulled out and killed outside the branch involving some more intruders and took away his Sten- gun. Another constable ( named B.L. Nannaiya) who was outside the sentry gate was also shot and with his serious injury and bleeding, he entered inside the Bank premise and asked the bank staff for water to drink and also asked to put off his uniform and arms. One of the staff ( Cashier Lowli ) told him not to drink water at this crucial bleeding time, but to take rest on an emergency d bed with the help of other staff. The 2 Jawans who were taking rest inside their barrack were also shot and killed when they were not fully prepared. (They were- Constable, Mesrilal and cook – Balwant Singh)
The remaining, 2 Jawans who were inside the Banking hall started blank fire at the intruders, here and there, so that the intruders could not make their way to enter inside the banking hall. The intruders also targeted their level best to kill the 2 remaining jawans who were inside the Branch. After half an hour exchange of fire, one of the Jawans (named Balaram ) was shot at his lower jaw and he falls down. However, within minutes with all his might and courage he rose up, shouting and started firing, all the bullets available with him at the intruders. He than accompanied the Cash Officer to Police Station for seeking help. On seeing the hapless condition of police, they moved to the Batallion Headquarters and sufficient reinforcement came in 4 /5 vehicles with Cash Officer. While seeing the reinforcement coming, the intruders fled away.
So, on that fateful day, 4 Jawans of 7 Bn. CRPF have been killed and 1 injured. However, the intruders failed to overcome and achieve their mission to loot the branch. When we recollect our past, we really shed our tears for those who sacrificed their lives for the Bank at Senapati Branch. The following persons were the staff(s) of the branch on that fateful day:
a)Branch Manager: Shri Kh. Mani Singh
b)Accountant : Shri L. Gouro Singh
c)Cash Officer : Shri K. Daili Mao
d)Cashier : Shri A.Lowli Mao
e)Clerk : Shri. N. Daiho, Shri Peter Besii, Shri L. Sitlhou
f)Sub-Staff : Shri Dahrii Shri P. Kashipri

Contributed by Ms. Shabnam Khanm, Facilitator, SBLC, Shillong