Major Bank Heist in Odisha Town Exposes Security Lapses
In a daring daylight robbery, armed criminals targeted a Bank of Maharashtra branch in Barbil town, Keonjhar district, Odisha. The incident occurred on Monday during regular business hours. The thieves made off with gold jewellery valued at over Rs 5 crore and approximately Rs 5 lakh in cash.
No Security Guard Present During Robbery
Police officials confirmed the bank operated without a single security guard at the time of the robbery. Only two staff members were present inside the branch. The bank primarily handles gold loans, making it a lucrative target for the criminals.
Branch manager Pankaj Kumar Barnwal described the terrifying ordeal. "The robbers pointed a gun at my head and demanded the locker key," he said. "When they began assaulting us, we had no choice but to lead them to the locker room. They took packets containing gold and cash."
Robbers Took CCTV Evidence With Them
In addition to the stolen valuables, the thieves removed the bank's CCTV digital video recorder. This device contained footage of the entire robbery. Police believe this was a deliberate attempt to destroy evidence.
The robbery unfolded quickly between 1:55 pm and 2:15 pm. According to police reports, five or six unidentified individuals entered the bank brandishing firearms. They threatened both staff and customers before taking control of the premises.
Police Investigation Underway
Inspector-in-charge Ashok Kumar Nayak of Barbil police station provided details about the ongoing investigation. "The suspects spoke in both Hindi and Odia during the robbery," he stated. "We have initiated a probe into the matter, though bank employees have not yet filed a formal complaint."
Police suspect the robbers may have come from Jharkhand or Bihar. Authorities believe the criminals possessed detailed information about the bank's operations. This included knowledge about the absence of security personnel.
Security Deployment Decisions Questioned
When questioned about the lack of security, manager Barnwal explained that decisions regarding guard deployment come from the bank's head office. The robbers escaped on motorcycles within twenty minutes of entering the bank.
The stolen gold jewellery weighed approximately 3.7 kilograms. This high-value heist has raised serious concerns about security measures at financial institutions in smaller towns. Local residents expressed shock at the brazen nature of the crime occurring during daylight hours.
Police teams are examining all available evidence and pursuing multiple leads. The investigation continues as authorities work to identify and apprehend the suspects responsible for this major theft.
