Bank staff assaulted while at work – will the bank authorities wake up and tighten security arrangements?

N RAJAGOPAL

A terrifying day for a bank staff

On 18^th December 2023, the day started as usual for Shri Nandagopal, working as a House keeper cum peon (HKP) at Canara Bank, Voyalur, Chingleput district. It was around 4 pm on that day, he was asked by the branch Official to lift cash from the branch to the ATM counter situated adjacent to the branch. The Officer was filling the cash at the ATM bin, while the said employee was standing guard with shutter half-closed. Two strangers, later identified as personnel from Tamilnadu Special Police Task attached to the Coastal department, in a drunken state opened the shutter and demanded cash. The bank employee and the officer had asked them to wait outside till the cash is loaded. The duo went outside the ATM counter and closed the shutter, which frightened the bank staff loading cash. The HKP managed to open the shutter and once again informed the duo to wait for some more time. Angered over this, they fiercely attacked the HKP, Shri Nandagopal and made him bleed excessively through nose and mouth. They also hit his leg badly resulting in fracture in his knees. Shri Nandagopal fell down and the officer was looking traumatized at the turn of events.

Public came to the rescue

On hearing the screams of the employee, the public gathered soon and rounded up the duo. Even some of the general public had to receive blows from those drunken police personnel. This irritated the general public and they staged a road block gaining the attention of the police personnel from the neighbor station. The stiff resistance by the general public forced the police to take the two drunken persons to the station and remand them. The public were demanding stern action against the culprits. The bank officials and the public took the said employee to a nearby hospital from where he was shifted to Government Hospital at Chingleput.

Bank files complaint with the police

The Branch Manager filed a written complaint with the police seeking legal remedy. Till the publication of this article it is informed that the police is yet to file a FIR! The branch officials are following it up with the police in this regard.

Union’s gesture

Late in the evening, this incident was made known to the leaders of Canara Bank Staff Union at Chennai. They enquired with the branch official about the incident and the process to be taken by the branch in securing the well-being of the staff. The next day morning, three of the leaders rushed to Government Hospital at Chingleput and enquired the staff about his health. They assured him of all assistance from the union. They then visited their Voyalur branch, spoke to the branch officials, thanked the general public who had intervened. They then visited the concerned police station sought their speedy action. It was informed that the two persons who had indulged in such violent incidents were placed under suspension and departmental action would be initiated besides legal action. The union leaders wanted the police personnel to take immediate action so that certain level of confidence is built on the employees in that area. The union leaders then met the Regional Head, appraised him of the developments and sought the interference of the bank management besides extending medical and leave facilities to the concerned employee. The bank authority also agreed to these proposals.

Demand

The union, viz., Canara Bank Staff Union had been demanding the bank management to provide Armed Guards at all branches. But this is not happening. It is regrettable that such incidents of manhandling of bank staff are occurring at some branches. Also, pitiable is that most of these branches are handled by female staff! The Union expects that the bank management would wake up to such incidents and go in for recruiting Armed Guards at all branches of the bank.