College staff withdraws ₹2 lakh from SBI New Silchar, bike borne miscreants snatches it

July 2: Incidents of chain, money & mobile snatching has become a regular affair in Silchar. Though under the direction of Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma, Assam Police has started a war against drugs, yet on the other hand, cases of snatching by bike borne miscreants have become very common. On Friday, a staff of Radhamadhab College, Silchar, Hari Prasad Kurmi was sent to State Bank of India (SBI), New Silchar Branch with a cheque of Rs.1 lakh. Another staff of the college, Peter Noah Rongmei also handed over his personal cheque of Rs.1 lakh of the same branch to that staff for withdrawal.

The staff went on a bicycle, deposited the cheques and withdrew a total amount of Rs.2 lakh from SBI New Silchar Branch. He put the money inside a bag and hung it around his shoulder. He was on his way back to Radhamadhab College riding on his bicycle. However, the moment he reached opposite Holy Cross School at Sonai Road, two bike-borne miscreants came from his behind and snatched his bag. Though he was not prepared for this, yet instantly he also tried his level best not to leave the bag and gave a good fight. In the attempt to save the bag, the speeding motorbike dragged him on the ground. Ultimately, he lost his grip and the miscreants were successful in snatching away the bag containing the money. Immediately, the miscreants fled away in their bike at a great speed.

The incident occurred at broad daylight at around 1.30 PM. However, due to Covid restrictions, the nearby shops were shut when the incident happened. After the staff raised a hue and cry, people came out from the nearby area, but by that time, the miscreants went out of sight. The staff also sustained minor injuries. An FIR was immediately lodged at Rangirkhari Police Out Post by the Principal of Radhamadhab College.

Many such incidents of snatching money from people who withdrew money from SBI New Silchar Branch has taken place in the recent past. Later on, expressing his views, said the staff Hari Prasad Kurmi, “It may be possible that someone was following me when I was busy doing the transaction in the bank.” He demanded that strict vigilance must be there inside the bank.

During the pandemic period, such incidents of money, mobile and chain snatching have increased in all the three districts of Barak Valley. Local residents expressed deep anguish over such repeated incidents of robbery in Silchar. They demanded that strict vigil should be done by the police so that such anti-social elements could be nabbed at the earliest. “How do the miscreants know who is withdrawing money from the bank? This is definitely a mysterious issue. There is every possibility of some insider leaking such vital information to the miscreants or somebody keeping an eye on the customers inside the bank,” remarked a retired school teacher. Another businessman of Central Road said, “Silchar is now a heaven for anti-socials. What is the law enforcing authorities doing?