A Bank Robbery

A bank is considered a safe place for saving money and safe custody for valuable things. Therefore we deposit our money in banks. We deposit our valuable articles in lockers in bank.

Last week I witnessed a daring bank robbery. It was Monday; I had gone to the Bank of India to encash a cheque. The bank was crowded with customers. There was a great rush at each counter. I also stood in a long queue before the teller. There was nothing unusual for some time.

Just then seven persons entered the bank. They were dressed in uniforms. They pretended to check up the security arrangements of the bank. For some time, none could know what the matter was. But soon it became clear that they were bank-robbers. They had pistols and daggers. Within no time, two of them snatched the gun from the watchman standing at the gate. Suddenly, they bolted the gate of the bank from inside and took out pistols. Others proceeded further. They pushed the customers aside and ordered them to keep back. One of them entered the manager's cabin and aimed his pistol at him. One of the robbers threatened the staff at the point of gun to remain where they were. Two of the robbers forced their way to the cash counter and began to fill their bags with currency notes. There was no movement from any corner. None was ready to risk his life. As soon as the dacoits finished the task of collecting money, they took away the bags and rushed out. It all happened within minutes. Everyone was frightened while the dacoits left the bank.

The manager who was watching everything helplessly now took courage and rang the alarm bell. But it was too late. The robbers had sped away in a car which was waiting outside for them. Meanwhile, the police arrived on the scene. The police party inquired about the dacoits from the customers of bank. They informed the control room about the dacoits. The city police chased the robbers, but the chase proved futile.

The police found the car that had been used in the crime. It had been abandoned by the robbers on a wayside road. Let us hope that the police trace out the culprits also.

The memory of this incident still makes me shudder.