SBI issues statement- assure to stand beside family of Bank Manager killed in Kashmir

June 2: Vijay Kumar, Branch Manager, Arreah branch of Elaquai Dehati Bank (EDB), a Srinagar- headquartered Regional Rural Bank sponsored by State Bank of India (SBI) was shot dead today in the branch premises by a terrorist. Vijay Kumar, who belonged to Rajasthan, was just 29 years old and had joined EDB in March 2019. This is the eighth incident of targeted killing in Kashmir this month. In another terror attack, terrorists fired upon a female teacher at a school in the Gopalpora area of Kulgam on Tuesday.

Vijay Kumar was one of many such bankers hailing from different parts of the country, who are working in the Kashmir Valley and other difficult places to ensure delivery of uninterrupted banking services to the public.

In a press notification, SBI stated, “As the sponsor of Elaquai Dehati Bank, remains committed to ensure the safety and well-being of all its employees, including those posted in the Valley. The EDB shall ensure that the bereaved family is provided with necessary support—financial and otherwise— on priority.”

Currently, government employees in the valley are seeking protection against the backdrop of the targeted killings and have demanded to be relocated to Jammu.