LUCKNOW, Feb. 13 -- More than 25 customers on Thursday staged a protest at the Bank of Baroda branch located on the Dr Shakuntala Mishra Rehabilitation University campus, alleging that fixed deposits (FDs) made through a banking correspondent were never credited to their accounts. The protesters pulled down the shutter from outside and raised slogans, bringing banking operations to a halt for nearly three hours. The protest comes weeks after Para police arrested Shiva Rao, a 'bank mitra' (banking correspondent), and his aide Deepak Kumar for allegedly embezzling lakhs of rupees by issuing forged FD receipts to customers at the same branch on Mohaan Road. The branch manager was later removed. Customers alleged that Rao collected money for FDs but did not deposit them. When the deposits matured, the bank allegedly informed them that no such FDs existed in its system. Some account holders also claimed unauthorised withdrawals from their savings accounts. Salik Ram Pal, a customer, said Rs.17.30 lakh deposited in the name of his daughter Kamla for her wedding could not be traced. "Her tilak ceremony is tomorrow. Our preparations have come to a standstill," he said, alleging officials at the regional office did not meet the family despite repeated visits. Policemen from the Para station reached the spot and attempted to pacify the protesters, while additional personnel were deployed on the campus as a precaution. The bank had not issued any official statement till late afternoon. Victims said they would continue protests until their money was refunded and action taken against all those responsible. The scam surfaced on January 12 when several customers confronted Rao over discrepancies. A joint complaint by 24 victims, including 17 women, led to the registration of an FIR....