ATM security still lax as banks turn a ‘blind eye’

After the attack on a bank manager in Bangalore,the Pune police had convened a meeting with all the bank manager officials to discuss the security threats facing the 2,000 odd ATMs in the city. Police Commissioner Gulabrao Pol had told the banks that security of the ATMs was the onus of the banks and in case of any complaints,action would be taken against the banks. “Many banks have failed to tighten security at ATMs,” said a police official.

A case in point is the state of Union Bank of India ATM located on the Pune-Mumbai Highway at Kasarwadi. At least,twice the bank ATM has become target of thieves in last five years. Once the desperadoes had disappeared with the ATM machine and another time they had tried to unsuccessfully break it. “In 2008,the machine itself was stolen,” said branch manager Govind Jha. The bank has however provided a security guard armed with a stick only during night hours. “We have not provided a security guard during the day as the place is crowded. It involves financial burden,” said Jha. “The armed security guard protects the bank premises,” he said.

Malini Shankar,a resident of Pimple Gurav had a harrowing experience when she had gone to withdraw money from her local bank ATM. “Although I had gone to withdraw money in the afternoon,I was shadowed by two men. They kept on following me even when I came inside and one of them tried to get inside the ATM when I was inside. Fortunately,some one else came and they left the spot,” she said. A shaken Shankar said the bank ATM did not have any security guard.

What is visible at most banks is that not only the guards are armed with sticks,but they seem to be suffering from lack of training to handle attackers. The banks also seemed to have appointed guards who are not physically fit and retirees. “How will an old person tackle even one youngster if he attacks a woman customer taking out money from the ATM,” asks Jayshree Marale,a retired principal who takes her son or a relative along whenever she wants to withdraw money from her ATM. “Though my bank is located on the highway and at crowded place,I am worried about my safety as anybody can attack me inside the ATM centre and getaway,” she said. The city police have urged the banks to take services of ex-servicemen or retired cops for the job.

While the nationalised banks,who have the highest number of ATMs in the city,remained non committal when asked about the steps they have taken to secure their ATMs,source said that the banks have taken the matter seriously. “In many banks,security audits have been conducted and ATMs where in security guards are not there have been identified. Final steps are to being to stream line the process,” said a senior official of a nationalised bank.

Meanwhile,some of the banks have said that they are yet to receive any written communication from the police. Vasant Kulkarni,CEO of Janata Sahakari Bank,said they have 22 ATMs and all of them are guarded. Shiv Sena corporator Seema Salve said that the party will raise the issue as they have found that many of the ATMs in the twin town being unguarded.