The Hindu : New Delhi News : Bank security measures under fire after robberies Law & order

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Dec 20, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

New Delhi

New Delhi

Bank security measures under fire after robberies Law & order

‘Most banks do not have trained and well-equipped security guards’

A spate of bank robberies reported in the Capital in the past few weeks has raised doubts about the measures being taken by the financial institutions to safeguard the interests of their customers.

The latest robbery took place at UCO Bank on December 8 when two armed men made away with Rs.2.5 lakh after shooting at and injuring a peon. The peon later succumbed to his injuries in the hospital.

Two other cases were reported in November at the Hauz Khas branch of UCO Bank and at the Samaipur Badli branch of State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur, from where armed robbers made away with a total of over Rs.30 lakh. And on November 18, the robbers targeted a cash van at R.K. Puram.

In all these cases, security guards were either on leave or no security personnel had been deployed when the robbers struck.

The banks did not have closed-circuit television camera surveillance systems in place.

A police officer pointed out that as the act governing the working of private security agencies had not been notified by the Delhi Government, the agency running the cash van service had not been following any norms and it could not be even held accountable for that.

Central Association of Private Security Industry chairman Kunwar Vikram Singh said most banks did not have trained and well-equipped security guards. “The security personnel deployed at the banks carry .12 bore gun that is a sporting rifle. It is a lethal weapon and can injure more people, and so it is dangerous to use it in public places. The security men should rather have guns suited for the purpose,” said Mr. Singh, adding that the Government should take initiatives to allow use of such weapons.

“The gun licences are in the name of individual security guards. They are allowed to keep weapons for self-defence. In case they use their weapons to protect others, this would come under mercenary services, a concept which is not legal in India,” argued Mr. Singh.

He said he had recently made a representation before the authorities concerned seeking an approval for procurement of small arms by private security agencies. “As per the proposal, security agencies can issue retainer licences to the ex-servicemen who are trained at handling weapons and whose antecedents are already verified. They would be required to submit the weapons after completion of their shifts. I had met Delhi Police Commissioner Y.S. Dadwal with the proposal and his response was positive,” said Mr. Singh.

Stating that there was a huge shortage of armed security guards in the Capital, Mr. Singh said there was a requirement for 19,000 personnel for guarding banks, cash vans, ATM centres and for the pick-up of cash from various business houses. “But only 4,000 armed security guards are available at present,” he added.

Like him, many police officers feel that a periodic security audit of banks should be made mandatory. Drills should also be carried out to prepare the bank staff and security guards for emergency situations. Effective CCTV and alarm systems should be installed, for which adequate funds should be allocated.

“There is nothing called a cheap and best security system,” said Mr. Singh.

Devesh K. Pandey

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

New Delhi