Robbers kill one, decamp with Rs 1.15 Cr from ATM cash agents
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 04 2020:
Bike borne armed robbers killed one security personnel and looted about Rs 1.15 crore from ATM cash replenishment agents right in front of the SBI Main Branch Churachandpur in broad daylight today.
The robbery took place at around 10.30 am when staff and security personnel of SBI's Cash Replenishment Agency (CRA)-Writer Safeguard Private Limited were on a routine cash replenishing exercise.
The deceased, Ranjan Arambam (37), driver-cum-security guard of the agency suffered at least two bullet injuries during the robbery which was said to have been executed discreetly, and purportedly by using weapons with silencers.
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Ranjan and his co-workers had just filled/replenished the ATM machines located on the ground floor of SBI Churachandpur with Rs 55 lakh (out of Rs 1.70 cr they had) and they were about to move out to replenish cash at ATM booths across the town.
As they moved out of the ATM booth on the bank's ground floor towards their armoured vehicle parked across the street, Ranjan who was carrying the cash was attacked by the bike borne armed robbers.
They shot him at least twice and fled with Rs 1.15 crore in cash.
As the robbers were purportedly using silencers to suppress the sound of the gunshots, no one heard and 'no sizable alarm' was raised.
The robbery seems to be well planned and executed discreetly, said sources.
Afterwards, Ranjan who suffered bullet injuries in his belly was rushed to the District Hospital Churachandpur at about 10.50 am and later taken to Shija Hospital.
He succumbed on his way and was declared brought dead at Shija Hospital.
After the incident, IGP Clay Khongsai along with DIG Range III Angam Kamei Romanus visited the spot where the robbery took place.
Churachandpur police have registered a case and sources said a suspect has been picked up from a shop at Zenhang Bazar.
Three employees of the Writer Safeguard company who accompanied Ranjan have also been taken by police for questioning.
The district police have launched a massive manhunt to nab the unknown armed robbers.
Sources said there are 16 ATM booths in Churachandpur town and the Writer Safeguard company handles cash replenishment at these ATMs.
Ranjan was son of Arambam Kumar of Khuga Tampak, Zouveng, Zenhang Lamka.
The Joint Students' Body (JSB) comprising of the ZSF, KSO CCpur, HSA, MZP and Zomi Chiefs Association (ZCA) have strongly condemned the daylight robbery and the killing of a Cash Replenishing Agent.
The JSB urged the law enforcement agencies to book the culprits and award them befitting punishment.
Later in the evening, thousands of people came out on the roads of Churachandpur and staged torch rallies all over the town, condemning the killing.