Man robs ₹6.49 lakh from Kakching bank
Source: Chronicle News Service

Kakching, October 16 2024: In what could be called a scene straight out of a caper or heist film, a man armed with a side arm and knife robbed around Rs 6,49,920 from the United Commercial Bank (UCO Bank), Kakching Branch located at Kakching Bazar Ningthou Leikai Khongnang Mari Phangba under Kakching police station, around 3pm Wednesday, According to reports culled from the spot, the armed man is suspected to have arrived on a two-wheeler, Honda Activa.

The Bank Branch was guarded by only an unarmed Home Guard.

At the time of the heist, the visiting hours of the Bank had just ended and the shutters pulled down halfway.

The man spoke in Hindi and asked to meet with the Bank manager but was informed by the security that the visiting hours were over.

However, the man forcibly entered the Bank and then came out.

He then flashed the gun at the security and re-entered the building.

Recounting the incident, UCO Bank Kakching manager Lamyanba Yumnam described the appearance of the robber, stating that he appear to around 40-45 years of age.

The robber wore a black jacket and blue-black jeans, had a black cap, glasses and mask with a band aid on his nose and also carried a black bag.

The robber was armed with a side arm and knife, and spoke in Hindi.

Since the visiting hours were over, the Bank had partially pulled down the shutters to complete banking formalities for the day.

As per the CCTV footage, the robber first entered the bank and recced the situation, before exiting and re-entering the building with the firearm pointed at the security guard.

At the time, there were five bank staffers and two-three customers present, all forced inside the manager's room and asked to place their mobile phones on top of the manager's table.

The robber threatened against calling the police.

He then asked who the cashier is and forced the latter to put in Rs 6,49,920 from the cash counter to his black bag.

The robber then fled the bank on his two-wheeler towards Kakching Ningthou Leikai Pukhrambam Pareng.

The entire robbery lasted around seven minutes as per the CCTV footage, the branch manager conveyed.

On receiving report of the incident, Manipur Police DIG Range II Jogeshchandra Haobijam, Kakching senior SP Thokchom Vikramjit, additional SP (Law and Order) Athokpam Romendro, additional SP (Ops) Binoy Chongtham, SDPO Akoijam Premjit, OC Takhelmayum Rameshwar and other police personnel arrived and carried out preliminary investigations.

The police also questioned the Bank staff and security personnel.

However, no suspicious person has been arrested so far.

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