Suryapur Bank agents on fast unto death

The recurring deposit agents of the city-based Suryapur Co-operative Bank today intensified their agitation and began fast to death to protest against the total disinterest shown by authorities.

The aggrieved agents allege that the authorities have not initiated a single move to get their locked up money back since the bank was closed on September 2002.

Around 40 to 50 recurring deposit agents staged dharna outside the Ghoddod Road branch of the bank on Tuesday. Two of the agitating agents, Vipul Shah and Jitendra Pastagia, then began the fast to death agitation. With a new slogan, 'Note de ya maut de '(give us our money or death).

Paresh Parekh, the convenor of Suryapur Bank Agent - Dainik Bachat Hitvardhak Samiti, which spearheads the agitation, said, "We have started indefinite hunger strike as concerned authorities have shown absolutely no interest in resolving our problem.

"We will continue the agitation till we get our money back. If necessary, more agents will join the hunger strike. And if there is still no effect on authorities, we will intensify our agitation," Parekha added.

Around 19,000 depositors and account holders of the beleaguered bank, have lost around Rs 60 crore.

Since the prime accused is Kanaksinh Mangrola, a senior BJP leader and also an ex-MP, the agitating agents have appealed to the public to vote against BJP in the polls.