SBI security guards to be armed with Pump Action Shotguns

Security guards of the State Bank of India (SBI) will soon get Pump Action Shotguns replacing the double barrel guns which they use at present.

It is learnt that the memorandum of understanding (MoU) will be signed between SBI and Ishapore Rifle Factory on February 2.

Initially security guards posted at the Currency Chest Branches of the bank will get the new guns and later the same will be given to security guards in other branches. 

The step has been taken to beef up the security arrangements in all the branches, city offices and headquarters of the bank. 

At present, the security guards use double  barrel guns each of which has a capacity to load two cartridges at a time. 

But the pump action shotguns are specially made as a security weapon. It can be used by security personnel at banks, factories and to disperse mob as rubber bullets can also be fired using the same gun. The single barrel breach loading weapon is much superior to the DBBL guns and four cartridges can be loaded at a time. It would lighter than those which are used now, sources said.  

It may be mentioned that incidents of dacoity at banks in different parts of the country is still a major issue. Such incidents mostly take place in rural parts now a day. So surveillance cameras have been installed both inside and outside the banks. 

The decision to replace the guns of the security personnel posted at the Currency Chest branches have been taken as exchange of a huge amount take place there.

It is learnt that besides the security arrangements at bank branches, several steps have also been taken for security at ATMs. Steps have been taken to ensure safety at ATMs. Moreover, initiatives have also been taken to create awareness about online frauds. 

Senior officials of the banks are in constant touch with the police and specially with officers from the Cyber Crime sections. Joint sessions of the police and bank officials are being organised almost every month to discuss that how frauds which take place using ATM or debit cards or credit cards can be checked. But in many cases, it becomes difficult to catch the kingpin behind such crimes as they operate the entire operation from abroad, said an official.