Date:01/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/01/stories/2008100153580300.htm

Tamil Nadu

Attempt to rob bank fails

Staff Reporter

Miscreants unable to open safety lockers

Photo: N. Bashkaran

A view of the Periamuthur Primary Agricultural Co-operative Bank at Avadhanapatti. –

KRISHNAGIRI: Unidentified persons on Monday night entered a primary Agriculture Cooperative Bank but could not open the safety locker at the strong room. About 10 kg of jewellery pledged by members of the bank were stored in the lockers besides Rs. 93 lakhs, said Nagarajan, the secretary of the bank.

The miscreants entered the bank after digging a hole at the backside of the strong room. They tried to open a locker using a crow bar but failed. The police sniffer dogs Rado and Rosy brought to the bank ran some 100 yards from the bank and stopped there. Finger prints were recorded by the police team. This is the second attempt to rob a bank in Krishnagiri district, according to the police.

The Periyamuthur Primary Agricultural Co-operative Bank at Avadhanapatti moved to the current building at the footsteps of the Kothamalli hills on the National Highway-7, a year back.

The land was purchased by the Avadhanapatti villagers and handed over to the bank authorities. Currently the bank has 1,800 members. There is no watchman for the bank.

The ADSP Crime Branch R. Jayachandran, told The Hindu that the police suspected the involvment of people belonging to Korava community behind the incident.

“Most of the the banks do not have any alarm system connected to the local police station. The banks have been asked to install alarm systems many times, but of no avail. We are planning to hold a meeting of bankers to discuss it,” he said.