Vulnerable banks in need of security

Statesman News Service

MALDA, 17 NOV: Malda bank officials have expressed concern and sought adequate security arrangements for branches at the time of money transactions, following the incident at Karimpur in Nadia, where four bank employees were killed and one injured. These branches have proved their vulnerability through these incidents.

The Malda SP, Mr Bhuban Mandal, has agreed to hold a meeting with them on 24 November to review the security system of the banks, in the district, when the officials of the several banks met him yesterday.

The bank officials have prepared a list of some vulnerable areas and branches across the district, based on figures of high accumulation of cash, seeking police patrolling up to late evening.

“We cannot remit high accumulation of cash without guards. It takes time to complete the job in many branches, in these vulnerable areas. When we requisition police force, we do not get them on time,” said Mr. Tapan Das, chief regional manager of the UBI.

“We have jointly prepared a list of vulnerable branches and decided to submit it to the police super, seeking adequate security during transactions,” Mr Das added.

According to the chief regional manager, in some areas, police continue patrolling but some areas remain uncovered in this district.

The employees of rural banks in remote areas also alleged that they face problems in remitting cash after evening.

After Karimpur incident, employees’ unions of different banks in this region raised several issues related to their security during office hours, which continues till late evening, due to the work load. The employees have to carry out several transactions, related to state and central government sponsored schemes.

They had previously pointed out the inadequacy of the present infrastructure to bear such work load, along with the banks’ own security systems.

“I will interact with the bank officials on 24 November and look into the problem of bankers’ own security system and take proper deployment of our police forces for their security,” said Mr. Bhuban Mandal, the Malda SP.