As many as 119 Automated Teller Machines (ATM) in the city were closed down, owing to an absence of security staff in front of these ATMs, here on Monday.
Earlier during the day, Commissioner of Police, M A Saleem said that the deadline for banks to appoint security guards in front of ATMs ended on Sunday. “We had conducted a survey of ATMs in Mysore city, after whicy 272 ATMs of 40 banks were identified. Four days ago, 151 ATMs in the city did not have security personnel,” he said.
During a meeting convened recently with officials from various banks, after the ghastly attack on a woman in an ATM in Bangalore, he said that few banks have opted not to use ATMs during the night. “We will strictly enforce all guidelines set by the Reserve Bank of India at ATMs around the city,” he said.
Superintendent of Police, Abhinav Khare said that a few measures must be put in place to prevent any thefts or attacks at ATMs. He said that there were around 200 ATMs at various parts of the district, where it will be compulsory to depute guards.
“Secondary security measures must be installed within ATMs. In case, an ATM is suddenly switched off, or the remote server of the bank which controls the ATM suspects any acts of theft or other such incidents, a mechanism must be put inside the ATM to alert the nearby police station,” he said.
He also highlighted the issues with Close Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras installed inside ATMs. ATM thieves have now discovered ways to shut down these CCTVs. If there is a secondary camera in all ATMs, the footage must be made accessible to someone else from the banks, so that they can alert the police, he said.
He added that majority of thefts at ATMs occurred during weekends, as banks deposited more money at ATMs on Friday, to provide ATM facility for people. He added that no ATMs at other parts of the district would be closed down due to a lack of security personnel, as district police are yet to receive instructions about the same, from the State.
Lead Bank Manager, K N Shivalingaiah said that deputing security personnel at ATMs would take more time. “Appointment of security guards has been made mandatory. All the concerned banks have communicated with higher authorities about the same. As soon as we receive permission from bank authorities, we will appoint guards at ATM,” he said.
He also revealed that banks were in talks with security agencies to provide guards for ATMs. “Even though there are in-built hidden cameras in all machines, we have been instructed to install additional cameras. Only about 29 ATMs in Mysore city do not have additional CCTV cameras,” he said.
Shivalingaiah said that total number of ATMs in Mysore district was 431, with 272 inside Mysore city limits.