SHILLONG: Taking cognizance of the recent theft at the State Bank of India’s ICAR branch in Umiam where a whopping amount of over Rs 11 lakh was stolen, the bank authorities have decided to replace the existing cash vaults with modern and more secure ones in a bid to make the financial institution less vulnerable to the nefarious designs of criminals.
Speaking to The Shillong Times over phone from Guwahati, SBI Chief General Manger, North East Circle, PVSN Murthy said that a survey has already been conducted and the Bank would soon replace all the old safe vaults in vulnerable places with modern ones.
It was on Tuesday night that miscreants broke into the SBI’s ICAR branch at Umiam by tearing the collapsible gate and the safe vault with gas-cutters and stole a cash of Rs 11,86,966.
According to Murthy, while the old safe vaults can be cut using gas cutters, the new ones would be immune to such instruments.
He added that the retention capacity of the old safe vaults has also reduced drastically and very less amount of money is kept in such vaults now.
In addition, the SBI is also contemplating to engage security guards in the banks who will man it at night and even during holidays.
Meanwhile, in another similar incident, unknown miscreants broke into the SBI Selsella Branch in West Garo Hills and attempted to break into strong room on the night of June 27.
Madan Lal Sinha, Branch Manager, SBI Selsella Branch lodged a complaint lodged a complaint in this regard.
