Security measures have been beefed up for public and private banks stationed in the hilly Khagrachhari district amid the rising of bank robberies in Ruma and Thanchi upazilas of Bandarban.
Deputy Commissioner Md Sahiduzzaman confirmed this on Friday morning.
Managers of public and private banks in the district said there is no concern over the security. However, cautionary measures have been taken following the bank robberies in Bandarban, reports UNB.
Khagrachhari Sadar upazila’s Sonali Bank Assistant General Manager Samar Kanti Tripura said, “After the bank robbery, a virtual meeting was held where priorities were given on the increase of security measures. In addition, vigilance by the law enforcement agencies has also been tightened. Our bank also has its own security system.”
Bangladesh Krishi Bank’s Khagrachhari branch Manager Devashish Tripura said, “Our authorities have ordered to increase security. But since we are in the district town, we are not worried about security. But we are careful. The number of security personnel has been increased.”
Two gunmen will perform duty at the branch along with vigilance by the law enforcers, he said.
Dutch-Bangla Bank Ltd Manager Md Nuruddin Chowdhury said there is no crisis for the security issue as the government has increased security measures along with the bank’s own security.
DC Sahiduzzaman said the number of police personnel has been increased at the banks for security.
The banking security issue was discussed with importance in the core committee meeting, he added.
On Tuesday night, the armed separatist group Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF) abducted Sonali Bank’s Bandarban Ruma upazila branch manager Nizam Uddin.
They also carried out robberies at Sonali Bank and Krishi Bank branches in Ruma and Thanchi upazilas on Tuesday and Wednesday respectively.
The Rapid Action Battalion rescued the abducted bank manager on Thursday night and took him to his family on Friday morning.
Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
