A daring robbery took place at a State Bank of India customer service point in Hazaribag’s Katkamdag block on Tuesday. Two men looted Rs 2.5 lakh from the facility after holding the owner, Khelwanti Kumari, at gunpoint. The incident occurred around 10:30 am, shortly after Kumari opened the office. The duo arrived, claiming they wanted to withdraw Rs 10,000, but their true intentions were soon revealed.
As Kumari switched on the inverter, one of the men held her at gunpoint, covered her mouth, and snatched a bag containing Rs 2.52 lakh in cash. The perpetrators then fled the scene, pulling down the shutter and trapping Kumari inside. She managed to raise an alarm, and locals responded quickly to rescue her.
The police have launched an investigation into the incident, with Pramod Rai, the officer in charge of Katkamdag police station, stating that they are scanning CCTV footage and gathering evidence to track down the culprits. The authorities plan to conduct raids in neighboring villages to apprehend the duo. However, as of the evening, a formal complaint had not been registered.
The robbery has raised concerns about the security of customer service points, particularly in rural areas. The fact that the perpetrators were able to carry out the loot without being detected initially highlights the need for improved security measures. The police are working to identify the suspects and bring them to justice, but the incident has left the local community shaken.
The investigation is ongoing, and the police are urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward. The authorities are also reviewing security protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future. The robbery has resulted in a significant financial loss for Kumari, and the community is hoping for a swift resolution to the case.