Bangalore attack: 1,144 ATMs shut as banks fail to meet security deadline

Police commissioner Raghavendra Auradkar said many banks had approached him seeking time to put the security measures in place. “Representatives of various banks met me on Monday and requested extension of the time limit to provide security,” he said. In a strong message to banks neglecting customer security,the police shut down all ATMs that did not have guards.

Additional Commissioner of Police (law and order) Kamal Pant said of the nearly 4,000 ATMs in the city,1,137 unguarded ones were closed down on Monday. “The banks failed to follow a magisterial order issued by the police commissioner. We will take action against the banks according to the law,” he said.

Sources said the north-east division police closed down 65 of 249 ATMs in their jurisdiction,central division 86 of 286,south-east division 165 of 544,north division 254 of 794,east division 191 of 549,south division 234 of 614 and the west division closed down 149 of the 223 ATMs in their jurisdiction.

“All ATMs should have round-the-clock security,CCTVs and alarms. Banks were given time till 4 pm on Sunday. Many failed to follow the order. We have closed unguarded ATMs and will take action against banks. The ATMs can be opened only if the banks meet the security norms,’’ a senior police official said.