Security at ATM centres seen as unwanted expense
Banks continue to ignore safety rules
Hyderabad: Despite giving notices to banks regarding safety of ATMs, more than 40 per cent of ATMs in the city do not have adequate security measures in place. Most banks still consider deploying security guards and installing emergency alarms as unwanted expenses.
Since the ATM and cash are insured, bank officials are not bothered about any trouble that takes place at the ATM centres. As per the rules laid out by the city police under the Public Safety Act, banks should be guarded by two well-trained security guards with licenced arms 24x7. Every ATM centre should also be guarded by a security guard round the clock.
“Banks should instal high quality CCTV cameras with night vision at all important areas and ATM centres, and they should have storage capacity of three months’ footage. The bank building should also have high-end sensors with alarm systems, which can detect hammering, drilling, welding, gas cutting and any other burglary attempts,” an earlier order issued by Cyberabad commissioner C.V. Anand had stated.
After the Bengaluru ATM robbery, the city police had also expressed willingness to train the guards if necessary. The banks were asked to apply for arms licence for the security guards. While few banks abided by the rules, many did not.
“When we were discussing the safety issue with senior bank officials in the city, one official, who represented a top bank, said that their cash chest in ATMs were so strong that they did not need to deploy security guards at centers,” said a senior cop from Cyberabad.
“Bank officials ignore the fact that apart from burglaries, other safety issues also exist when it comes to ATM centres. We will start a fresh initiative to step up security measures. If banks do not obey the orders, we will take possible legal actions against them,” said a senior police official from Hyderabad.
Robber attempted transaction:
The woman, Sri Lalitha, 24, was unhurt. Police has recovered the CCTV camera footage of the incident, and has started a manhunt. After taking her 100-gram gold chain, ring, earrings, mobile phone, and debit card, the robber asked her for the pin number. He tried to take the money from the same ATM, however, he did not succeed.
“After she disclosed the PIN number, he tried to withdraw the money. However, due to some technical issues, he could not take the money. He then fled with the valuables,” said West Zone DCP A. Venkateshwera Rao.
“He must have been using a country-made weapon. We suspect that he was a repeat offender, and must have been waiting for a vulnerable victim. We are analysing the CCTV footages and other clues,” said the DCP.
Police officials said that since the ATM was located adjacent to the main bank, and there was a boundary wall, passers-by did not notice. “The accused fled before the victim could call anybody for help,” said a police official.
Cops said that they would send a notice to the SBI under the Public Security Act, and seek an explanation as to why there were no security guards in the premises. Officials said that the building was a rented one, vulnerable to any kind of offence. Responding to the issue, SBI officials from Yousufguda said that they did have a security guard at the main branch on the day shift.
Attacker begged for money first:
It was a perfectly normal day for 24-year-old Sri Lalitha when she left her hostel to go to work. On the way, she stopped to withdraw some money before getting a transport to her office located at Begumpet. While walking to the ATM booth, little did she know that she was going to experience perhaps the scariest moment of her life.
There were several people on the main road though the front of the bank and ATM was comparatively deserted. When a stranger got into the ATM booth and stood behind her, she thought he must have come to withdraw money. But the next moment, she saw the man was covering his face with a handkerchief. He started talking to her nervously in Telugu.
“He said that he needed money for his expenses, and he was having several financial problems. He said he was good man, and was not going to harm me. He also asked for other valuables I had,” said Ms Lalitha. “I refused initially, then he took out a gun and said it was an original one. Seeing me unconvinced, he fired at the wall,” she said.
She gave her ornaments, phone and ATM card to the man. “I was scared, and I had choice. He asked for my PIN number, and tried to take out money using my ATM card. Despite trying twice, he could not get the money,” she said. The robber did not know she had only a few thousand as balance, while he was trying to take out the maximum.
“He then told me to stay inside, and threatened me that there was another man outside who would kill me if I went out. After that, he went away, concealing his weapon,” she said. After she came out, she alerted Dial 100 with the help of a passer-by, and the police responded immediately.
( Source : dc )
Next Story
