Miscreants loot cash, gold, and set bank on fire in Odisha

Bhubaneswar, Dec 25: Unidentified miscreants broke into a branch of Odisha Gramya Bank in Balasore district late Tuesday night, looted cash and gold, and set the premises on fire before fleeing the scene.

Sources revealed that the robbers gained access by cutting through the window grill at the back of the bank, located in Balikhand Bazaar under Simulia police limits. They looted jewellery, cash, and other valuables before starting the fire.

Local residents alerted the police and bank officials after noticing smoke coming from the building. Firefighters worked for nearly two hours to extinguish the flames. Initially, the blaze was suspected to have been caused by a short circuit, but a subsequent inquiry by bank staff and the Simulia police uncovered evidence of robbery.

It is believed that the miscreants set the bank on fire while attempting to break open the lockers. The fire caused extensive damage, destroying important documents, registers, computers, and other office equipment.

While the exact value of the stolen items is yet to be determined, it is feared that cash and ornaments worth lakhs of rupees were taken. Simulia police have launched an investigation to identify and apprehend the culprits.