Dharmanagar: Panic gripped the Tripura State Cooperative Bank in Dharmanagar, North Tripura, on Monday after a portion of the ceiling suddenly collapsed, injuring several customers present inside at the time.
The injured were swiftly rescued and rushed to Dharmanagar District Hospital by bank authorities, where they are currently undergoing treatment. Officials said the situation could have been far more serious had the collapse occurred during peak banking hours.
Speaking to the media after the incident, the bank’s branch manager said several parts of the building had remained in a dilapidated condition for a considerable period. He alleged that the building’s owner, Bikash Paul, had been repeatedly requested to carry out necessary repairs, but no effective action had been taken until the mishap occurred.
Adding to the controversy, journalists who arrived at the spot to cover the incident alleged that they were threatened by the building owner, Bikash Paul, sparking further outrage in the area.
The incident has raised serious questions over the bank’s safety standards and the building’s maintenance. Local residents have demanded immediate administrative intervention, a thorough investigation into the negligence, and action against those responsible for both the structural failure and the alleged intimidation of journalists.