The New Second Major Robbery in Karnataka
Karnataka on Alert: Armed Gang Loots Rs 12 Crore in Mangaluru Bank
Mangaluru, Karnataka | January 17, 2025: An armed gang looted Rs 12 crore in cash and gold from a cooperative bank in Mangaluru on Friday, marking the second major robbery in Karnataka within two days. The audacious robbery has once again brought attention to the growing concerns over financial security in the state.
The Heist at Kotekar Agricultural Cooperative Bank: The robbery took place at around noon at the Kotekar Agricultural Cooperative Bank, located on KC Road in Ullal, a suburb of Mangaluru. Six armed men entered the bank, threatening employees and demanding cash and gold. Preliminary reports indicate that the stolen goods include gold worth Rs 7 crore and cash amounting to Rs 5 crore.
The well-planned nature of the robbery, coupled with its occurrence in broad daylight, has left locals stunned and fearful of similar incidents occurring in the future. The police are actively pursuing all leads and are confident that the perpetrators will be brought to justice soon.
Siddaramaiah Holds Emergency Meeting in Response: In light of the growing crime wave, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah held an emergency meeting with senior police officials to discuss the bank robbery and formulate strategies to curb criminal activities in the region. Siddaramaiah reassured the public that the government would take swift action to catch the criminals and prevent such robberies from happening again.
“This robbery highlights the need for increased vigilance and better security measures for financial institutions across Karnataka,” Siddaramaiah remarked.
Police Investigations and Actions: Immediately following the robbery, the Mangaluru police initiated a comprehensive investigation. Authorities have been reviewing CCTV footage and conducting interviews with potential witnesses. A police task force has been assigned to track down the armed gang and recover the stolen money and gold.
“The investigation is in full swing, and we are following all possible leads to identify the culprits,” said a police spokesperson.
A Growing Concern Over Bank Robberies: The robbery in Mangaluru is the second such incident in just two days. The first robbery occurred in Bengaluru on January 15, 2025, leaving the state police scrambling to understand the scale of the threat. The growing number of bank heists in Karnataka has raised concerns about the safety of financial institutions, especially in rural areas where security measures tend to be lax.
Increased Security Measures Needed: Experts have called for better security systems at rural and semi-urban financial institutions. Improved surveillance cameras, more robust security personnel, and alarm systems are some of the measures recommended to prevent further robberies.
As Mangaluru reels from the effects of the robbery, the authorities are working hard to restore order and bring the criminals to justice. The recent uptick in bank robberies across Karnataka calls for a renewed focus on safety and security, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas.
