DIMAPUR, FEBRUARY 27 (MExN): The Kuda Village B Khel Council has condemned two ‘alarming’ incidents -the robbery of Rs 25 lakh from an SBI ATM within its jurisdiction and the continued illegal dumping of garbage along the Dhansiri Kuda Bridge.
In a statement, the council denounced the ATM heist that took place on February 20, terming it as a “criminal heist” that highlights serious security concerns.
It criticised the lack of progress in recovering the stolen money or apprehending those responsible, despite what it described as "substantial evidence" available to trace the culprits.
The council also raised questions about how the perpetrators identified that a large sum had been replenished in the ATM, suggesting the possibility of insider involvement and collusion.
It further questioned whether such large replenishments were standard practice for the ATM or if the transaction history had indicated a pattern of high cash deposits.
In this connection, the council urged authorities to provide updates on the police investigation, cautioning against any leniency or delays that could embolden criminals.
It assured law enforcement agencies of its cooperation and assistance if required in identifying those responsible.
On illegal garbage dumping
In a separate statement, the council expressed outrage over the persistent problem of garbage dumping along the Dhansiri Kuda Bridge, despite repeated warnings, fines, and billboard notifications prohibiting the act.
According to the council, unknown individuals, including those from outside the village, have been discarding waste by throwing it from moving vehicles during early morning and late-night hours when the area is largely deserted. Youth volunteers in the village have previously caught and reprimanded some violators, imposing fines as a deterrent.
However, the problem has persisted, with garbage piling up once again, creating an "ugly and stinking sight" for daily commuters, it maintained, deeming the action “a manifestation of intentional violation and provocation.”
To address the issue, the Kuda Village Youth Organisation (KBYO) has been tasked with setting up temporary butcher counters at both ends of the bridge to encourage daily activity and deter dumping, it said.
While the initiative was successful in preventing garbage accumulation on one end, the council claimed that an individual described as an “engineer” had reportedly prevented a similar setup on the other end, leading to renewed dumping. To tackle the issue, the council announced that strict penalties would be imposed on violators.
Any individual caught dumping garbage at the bridge will be fined Rs 5000, with the collected amount being used for cleaning and maintaining the area.
The council further cautioned that repeated offenders could be publicly named and exposed on social media as part of a broader effort to raise awareness.
The council also urged all residents and commuters to adhere to civic responsibilities and refrain from illegal dumping, emphasising that those found violating the regulations would face strict consequences.
