Bankers’ committee writes to DGP to ensure security for employees today

The State Level Bankers’ Committee wrote to the Director General of Police of Bengal seeking necessary steps to ensure safety and security of bank employees on Thursday.

Sources said that the letter has been sent by the committee on Wednesday afternoon stating that they anticipate trouble in Branches of the banks where hundreds of people will be pouring in since morning on Thursday to get their Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes exchanged with lower denominations.

Though the decision to keep banks open on coming Saturday and Sunday has already been announced, maximum number of people would be visiting the banks on Thursday as they have run out of money after demonetisation of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes since Tuesday night.

It is learnt that the bankers’ committee, of which all the banks are member, urged the state government to ensure adequate arrangement to avoid any sort of untoward incident in the Branches of the banks.

The situation has become tougher with the ATMs remaining closed for two consecutive days.

A senior police officer said that it seems people will be standing in queues from early morning on Thursday and long queues would continue till the evening.

“All steps to ensure safety and security of the bank employees and property have been taken. Police stations in all the districts have been alerted,” the officer said.

There were long queues outside the e-corners of different banks in the city to deposit Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes before midnight.

The same is expected in banks on Thursday. Thus, the bank authorities have also taken necessary measures to make the process easier.

In a communiqué to its employees, a nationalised bank sent SMSs stating: “All staff members are requested to rise up to the occasion and extend exemplary co-operation to manage the situation”.