Robbers today looted Rs 25 lakh cash from a Vijaya Bank branch here after holding the bank staff and customers hostage at gun point and set afire the CCTVs before fleeing.
Due to the fire in the CCTVs at the Sadar Bazar branch of the bank, the compressor of an Air conditioner exploded.
Six robbers barged into the bank shortly after the lunch break and after beating up the bank manager and holding other staff and some customers hostage at gun point, took away the keys of strong room and looted Rs 25 lakh cash, Inspector General of Police Ashutosh Pandey said.
After looting the cash, the dacoits set fire the CCTV cameras installed in the bank to destroy the evidence, he said.
As the fire spread in the branch, the compressor of an air-conditioner exploded. However, the fire was doused by the firemen before it could cause much damage to the branch, police said.
Before fleeing, the robbers locked up bank staff, including the bank manager, and some customers inside the strong room.
Due to the smoke in the branch, some of the locked-up staff and customers fainted.
Investigations are on to nab the robbers.
