Thieves decamp with ATM machine at Muktsar

Thieves decamped with an ATM of Punjab and Sind Bank containing Rs 4.63 lakh on Kotkapura Road here on Tuesday night. They reportedly used a JCB machine to load the machine into a truck before fleeing the scene.

Thieves decamped with an ATM of Punjab and Sind Bank containing Rs 4.63 lakh on Kotkapura Road here on Tuesday night.

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They reportedly used a JCB machine to load the machine into a truck before fleeing the scene.

The police blamed the poor installation of the machine for the incident. SSP Surjeet Singh said, "The machine was poorly installed. The bank had outsourced the work of installing the machine, which is supposed to have a strong base so that no one can remove it. But the screws of the machine securing it to the floor were so loose that it was removed easily."

The SSP said, "We suspect the involvement of employees of the outsourcing firm which had installed the ATM. Bank officials have also been found on the wrong foot as there was no security at the ATM and the CCTV cameras were not working. We have got some clues."

He claimed, "We were busy in preparations for the kabaddi league match. The thieves will be behind bars soon."