Demonetisation: 5 videos that depict the disorder unleashed by note ban in India

Severe shortage of new currency seems to have got under the skin of some Indians.

By: Dhairya Maheshwari |
December 7, 2016 3:50 pm

Long queues outside banks and ATMs across the country, with people queuing up to exchange their old currency and withdraw new notes hasn’t made for pleasant images for India’s demonetisation drive.

The decision to scrap 500 and 1000-rupee notes was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Nov 8, in a bid to combat corruption and illegal money laundering in the world’s fastest growing major economy.

However, opposition parties and critics blame the government for not doing their homework properly before rolling out the move and plunging the economy into chaos. Severe shortage of newly minted currency is starting to make people restless, with bank staff also copping unprecedented levels of stress due to long working hours and being abused by irate people.

People seen scrambling to get inside the bank in this video, which was uploaded by a Twitter user.

People climbed up to the bank on the 1st floor using an electric pole as others struggled through a single door. Bank of Baroda, Gujarat. pic.twitter.com/3ElICE9uYN

— Truth Of Gujarat (@TruthOfGujarat) December 5, 2016

In this video uploaded on Twitter, a bank guard fires several times in the air to disperse the unruly crowd.

Watch: Bank guard fired shots in air at HDFC, Budhlada, Punjab. 1st shot fired at 36th second, few more after that. Day 28, #Demonetisation. pic.twitter.com/pOsozzpbPt

— Truth Of Gujarat (@TruthOfGujarat) December 6, 2016

There have been reports of angry public resorting to stone-pelting to vent their anger at not being able to withdraw cash.

Stone pelting at State Bank of India branch in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh. People running out of patience. Day 27, #Demonetisation. pic.twitter.com/58Pax39ysN

— Truth Of Gujarat (@TruthOfGujarat) December 5, 2016

At least 82 deaths have been reported across the country in the wake of demonetisation decision, blamed mainly on stress and trauma due to standing long hours in queues.

Lifeless body that’s being stretchered out is of Robin Mukherjee who died yesterday in Maslandpur SBI, North 24-Parganas, WB #demonetization pic.twitter.com/3vpocLHxHh

— Truth Of Gujarat (@TruthOfGujarat) December 3, 2016

In this video, people are seeing pushing and shoving each other to get into the bank.

Day 21, #Demonetisation. Anarchy continues, cash crunch continues. SBI Haldaur, Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh. pic.twitter.com/obwC2lEw1x

— Truth Of Gujarat (@TruthOfGujarat) November 29, 2016