IGs, SSPs to probe cases of ATM loot, car snatching
CHANDIGARH: With the number of untraced cases of organised ATM loot and snatching of cars piling up at the district level, the Punjab Police has now asked inspector generals of police (IGPs), senior superintendents of police (SSPs) and police commissioners to personally investigate these cases.
The directions in this regard were issued by additional director general of police (ADGPlaw and order) Rohit Chaudhary last week.
As per the Punjab Police figures accessed by Hindustan Times, more than 20 cases of theft of ATMs (automated teller machines) remain unresolved in the state in the past two years, making it a serious concern.
Senior officials feel that there are organised groups which are working in different areas and they have even divided zones to commit ATM loot. “There are two types of ATM thefts being committed in the state. One group uses chains to uproot ATMs .
SENIOR OFFICERS HAVE BEEN ASKED BY ADGP TO INVESTIGATE PERSONALLY AS UNTRACED CASES ARE PILING UP
This group is active in Sangrur, Bathinda, Moga, Mansa, Ferozepur and Fazilka districts of Malwa. The second group, which uses gas cutters for thefts of ATMs, is on the prowl in Doaba and Majha regions,” said a senior official.
ADGP SEEKS WEEKLY REPORTS
The IGPs, SSPs and police commissioners have been asked to give weekly reports on the progress of cases to the ADGP.
In a note sent to officers in the field, a list of 28 high-profile cases of ATM thefts and car snatching have been listed to be dealt on priority.
“All these cases are organised crimes. There is an immediate need to solve these cases and for that direct supervision of the seniors is must. I am also personally monitoring the progress of these cases,” the ADGP told HT.
LINKS IN BANK VAN LOOTS
Meanwhile, police investigations have revealed that the loot of a bank cash van in Banur on May 2, in which Rs 1.33 crore was snatched by robbers on the national highway, was committed by a similar gang which snatched a trunk carrying Rs 18 lakh from the cash van of PNB in Ropar in November 2016. Similarly, investigators have found many co-relations between cases of car snatching at gunpoint.
After analysing various cases of car snatching, the investigators have found strong leads that the four vehicles used in Nabha jailbreak in November last year were provided to the escapee gangsters by these organised gangs. “These gangs have links with deadly gangsters, which is a worrying factor,” an IG-rank officer said.