Patna, Jan. 19: The state police has decided to set up an exclusive force to fight the recent increase in the cases of bank loot, on condition that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) provides the cost.
Director-general of police Neel Mani told The Telegraph, the police had talks with the RBI officials and the creation of an exclusive force was a possibility. The force could be formed by adding to the Bihar Military Police battalions, the DGP said.
“We held several talks in this connection earlier as well and the discussions are still going on. If the Reserve Bank wants, an exclusive force could be set up for the security of the banks. They have also expressed their interest. The force is short staffed and BMP battalions could be added for the same. But there is a cost factor involved and the RBI could take care of that. The police are open to the idea,” Mani said.
The state has witnessed as many as four major bank robberies in the past four days. The last incident happened in Samastipur district on Tuesday where eight motorcycle-borne criminals looted Rs 15 lakh from the Kalyanpur branch of United Bank of India under the Kalyanpur police station.
On January 14 Rs 6.64 lakh was looted from the North Bihar Regional Rural Bank, Ramnagar in Sitamarhi.
On January 15 criminals looted Rs 9.38 lakh from Union Bank in Bazidpur village under Bochahan police station while the same day saw Rs 10 lakh looted from the Bank of India branch at Naya Chowk village in the Kanti block in Muzaffarpur.
The DGP said one person has been arrested in connection with the Samastipur bank heist. What is surprising in the incident is that the lone guard deputed for the security of the bank had gone to renew his arms license minutes before the dacoity took place. Samastipur SP Anwar Hussain said raids were on.
Mani said policemen across all districts have been asked to check the records of those involved in cases of bank loot. “All this is the work of professional gangs. Many of them are now in jail. We are checking if anyone involved in similar incidents have been recently released from prison The police are working hard,” Mani said.
