P S Bali
Early Times Report
Jammu, Nov 29: Following the series of bank looting incidents in Kashmir Valley amid unrest and in the backdrop of demonetization, the security agencies have focused surveillance on the local bankers, suspecting them of facilitating militants.
According to sources privy to the development, a special watch is being kept on the bankers across the valley, especially in the rural areas of South Kashmir.
"It is believed that there is some conspiracy behind looting of banks, especially after demonetization was announced by the central government. So agencies have been instructed to keep an eye on all kind of bankers, from managers to peon to ascertain their role in these lootings," said sources, adding that some people associated with the banks are already on the radar of agencies.
Sources said that since the union government had announced demonetization of Rs 500 and Rs 1000, there is rise of bank looting incidents and linking it with militancy cannot be overruled.
"In the past one month, there had been three to four bank looting incidents in Jammu and Kashmir, especially militancy infested areas and the agencies believe that involvement of some local employee cannot be condoned," said sources, adding that now some prominent bankers are under surveillance, besides every banker is on watch.
The sources said that an amount of Rs 12 lakh was looted from Charar-i-Sharif branch of the Jammu and Kashmir Bank by gunmen in Budgam district and were also involved in robbery at Malpora, looting Rs 12.45 lakh at gunpoint.
These robberies come at a time when the entire country is facing a cash crunch over the demonetisation of higher denomination notes, and banks and ATMs witness long queues.
Similarly, three armed men looted a bank on gunpoint in Kulgam district of Kashmir. The gunmen, who were all wearing masks, entered the Jammu and Kashmir Bank branch at Kadder in Kulgam district and took Rs 2.25 lakh.
Additionally, an unidentified person looted approximately Rs 40 lakh worth of cash from the Sarthal branch of Jammu and Kashmir Bank in Kishtwar district.
However, security agencies believe that demonetization call of the union government has frustrated the militants and their sponsors, due to which they have resorted to looting of banks to arrange funds for inciting youth.
Keeping this series of events into consideration, the state government had asked the banks to revisit the security of their branches and "carry an audit to plug any loopholes" to prevent the recurrence of looting incidents. |
