City Police Commissioner Raghavendra H Auradkar has told police personnel to identify by January 15 the ATM centres that have failed to comply with the 45-day deadline to install CCTV camera and alarm system.
“We are yet to gather proper data and statistics on the number of ATMs that have not been able to fulfil the security requirements. Since our men will be busy with security bandobast for Id Milad and Sankranti festivals over the next two days, they have been given time till Wednesday,” he said. “Once identified and inspected by the city police, we will start the crackdown.” The commissioner had instructed banks to deploy security guards 24X7, install CC TV cameras and alarm systems in all ATM kiosks following the attack on bank manager Jyothi Uday in the Corporation Bank ATM kiosk in N R Square on November 19.
While deployment of security guard had been made mandatory within days of the attack, banks were granted an additional 45 days to install CCTV cameras and alarm systems. The 45-day deadline ended on Sunday.
Banks that fail to comply are liable to be booked under Section 188 (disobedience of order duly promulgated by public servant) of the Indian Penal Code.
A police officer said that approximately 75 per cent of the banks in the city had complied with the directives. The officer said that some banks had already approached the commissioner seeking more time to comply.
Some banks said that the external camera’s storage capacity is a challenge they are yet to overcome. Some banks are still seeking clarifications on the type of alarm system to be installed. Mr. Auradkar said that he would hold discussions with bank authorities before initiating action.
