TNI Bureau: A heartbreaking incident from Odisha’s Keonjhar district has drawn attention to the struggles poor tribal families face while dealing with banking procedures.

Jitu Munda, a resident of Dianali village, was trying to withdraw ₹19,300 from the bank account of his deceased sister, Kakra Munda, who had passed away nearly two months ago. Her husband and only child had already died, making Jitu her only surviving family member.

He visited the local Odisha Gramin Bank branch several times to claim the money, which he said was needed for family expenses. However, bank officials reportedly asked him to produce legal documents such as a death certificate and proof of heirship, or bring the account holder in person. Being an illiterate tribal villager with limited resources, Jitu was unable to complete the formalities.

Frustrated and feeling helpless, he took an extreme step. He went to the burial ground, dug up his sister’s skeletal remains, wrapped them in cloth, and carried them nearly three kilometres to the bank branch.

He placed the remains outside the bank as a form of protest, leaving villagers and bank staff shocked.

The unusual protest quickly attracted attention. Police reached the spot, pacified Jitu, and later ensured the remains were buried again. Local people criticised the bank for lacking compassion and said officials could have verified the matter through village authorities instead of forcing a poor man into such desperation.

The incident has raised serious questions about the difficulties faced by tribal and rural families in accessing basic financial services.