Overview

• Recent news reports and social media coverage have highlighted anti-social elements verbally abusing, physically assaulting and disrupting operations in bank branches.
• The Department of Financial Services warned that such incidents discourage bank staff morale and undermine public confidence in banking services.
• In a June 5 letter to state and UT chief secretaries, Secretary M Nagaraju urged steps to safeguard bank employees and ensure uninterrupted public access to banking services.
• He asked states to issue advisories instructing district magistrates and police to take preventive action, including deploying local patrols during peak banking hours at vulnerable locations.
• Many bank unions have echoed the call for tougher security protocols after members reported harassment and attacks, particularly targeting women staff.