Officials hurt in failed rank robbery attempt

Silchar, Feb 22 (UNI) Four people, including the general manager, were injured in an attempted bank robbery at the Federal Bank branch in the busy Shillongpatty locality of this South Assam town.

Bank officials today said two miscreants, posing as customers, went to see general manager K P Nanadakumar at about 1800 hours yesterday.

The duo took out sharp edged weapons and tied up the staff. Most of the employees had already left by then.

The miscreants demanded the keys of the lockers. However, when denied, they attacked the officials, injuring four.

The incident was reported to the police after the gateman raised an alarm. By the time police arrived, the robbers had escaped.

They could not take away any money, the bank sources said.

The injured officials were shifted to Silchar Medical College and Hospital where the condition of the general manager was stated to be serious.

Superintendent of Police Satyen Gogoi said a massive hunt had been launched to nab the miscreants. An Army sniffer dog had also been pressed into service.

However, no arrests had been made yet.

The bank is located only 100 metres away from the office of the DIG (Southern Assam range).

The locality houses a number of bank branches and corporate offices.

This is the second incident of robbery within 30 days.

On January 26, Rs 7 lakh was looted from a business house situated adjacent to the residence of state minister Misbahul Islam Laskar and 100 metre from Silchar Sadar police station.

UNI XC SG PK KN1427