The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Security cover for banks strengthened

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, May 31, 2006

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Security cover for banks strengthened

Staff Reporter

Police convene meeting with bank managers

KOCHI: In the spate of a couple of major heists of financial institutions in the neighbouring district, the police have strengthened the security cover for banks and financial institutions in the district.

"It has been decided to convene meetings, both in city limits and rural areas, at the Circle Inspector level with bank managers and heads of other financial institutions," said K. Padmakumar, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Ernakulam Range.

These meetings are expected to discuss the existing security arrangements and work out strategies for enhancing them, if needed. "These officials will be asked to monitor private security personnel employed at their respective places," he said.

The police presence on the road during night hours has been increased as part of the `Operation Monsoon', the special drive. Patrolling units under this drive will be asked to concentrate on financial institutions.

"All vehicles plying along main roads will be checked after 10 p.m. This is meant to prevent the transportation of the stolen property, if at all any one hits in our region," Mr. Padmakumar said.

Police patrolling has also been strengthened at main bus stations and railway stations. Also, the migrant labourers who have stationed themselves on the roadside and puramboke land will be put under special surveillance during this drive.

At the same time, the police are checking the present status of those who have been convicted for crimes featuring similar modus operandi employed in the Thrissur heists. In both the cases, the suspects have drilled holes on the walls and sneaked in. The police are now looking at the details available with the District Crime Records Bureau and keeping track of those who are not behind the bars.

It is suspected that a professional team is involved in the Thrissur heists. "We have streamlined the flow of information between neighbouring districts so that we could nab the suspects at the earliest," Mr. Padmakumar said.

Meeting held

City Police Commissioner P. Vijayan held a meeting with managers of leading banks in the city on Tuesday. "The meeting was meant to sensitise the officials about the threat and also to brief them about the existing security mechanism," Mr. Vijayan said.

The bank officials have been asked to ensure security measures like proper lighting up of the backside of their institutions and providing security personnel with facilities to contact police during emergencies.

"As a long term plan, they have been asked to stick to the specifications laid out by the Reserve Bank of India while constructing strong rooms," Mr. Vijayan said.

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