-SATISH HANDA
As many as four cases of ATM thefts in 24 hours have been reported in Haryana state in which robbers took away ATM machine along with cash worth lakhs of rupees in pick up in two cases. Expressing deep concern, DGP Haryana has made an appeal to banks to keep guards on duty at their ATMs during night.
Two cases of attempt to rob ATM were reported at Kaithal on Saturday night The robbers took away ATM machine carrying currency notes of value worth Rs 14 lakh during mid night from State Bank of India ATM at village Keodak in Kaithal district. According to footage of CCTV camera installed outside ATM four persons covered their faces arrived in a pick up van were seen breaking the entry door when two of them entered, removed ATM machine carrying cash, dragged with a rope by the vehicle and managed to flee. A complaint was lodged with the police in the morning by Amrit Pal bank manager told that amount worth Rs 10 lakh was inserted in ATM machine on Friday.
In another case of ATM robbery, miscreants attempted to rob Punjab National Bank ATM at Seewan Gate Kaithal late night on the same day but a police patrolling team in a gypsy arrived all of sudden and attempt to rob ATM foiled and the robbers started firing at police party had a narrow escape except front glass of police gypsy damaged with a bullet hit the same. In reply police team also fired seven rounds when miscreants managed to escape in dark. Information also reveals that about a week ago a group of five miscreants attempted to lift HDFC Bank ATM carrying currency notes on Chandigarh- Hisar highway during late night at village Keodak but in the meanwhile a police gypsy on patrolling duty arrived at the spot when the robbers managed to flee but later arrested by the police.
In another case of Union Bank ATM robbery reported at Samalkha on the national highway, five youths covered their faced with mask broken the shutter of ATM installed at Beniwal Complex at around 2.40 AM on Saturday-Sunday night and dragged the machine with the help of of a rope tied with their vehicle and took away along with Rs 4.09 lakh currency notes in the machine in their pick up. Naresh Beniwal owner of the building on seeing ATM shutter damaged in the morning informed Sunil Verma bank manager registered a case with police. According to footage of CCTV Camera installed inside ATM there were five youths covered faces with mask involved in robbing.
