:: Kolkata

IB to keep eye on bank officers

BY SUBHASISH CHAUDHURI

Kolkata

Aug. 13: The officials of nationalised banks located in the districts close to the Indo-Bangladesh border will be under scanner of the intelligence wing in order to thwart possibilities of fake Indian currency notes (FICN) circulation through banks.

The step has been taken after a Central intelligence bureau report claimed that Bangladesh-based ISI agents are targeting bank officials posted in the bordering branches to lure them to exchange FICN with real notes.

Central intelligence officials in Kolkata said that instructions in this regard have already been sent, particularly to the officials posted in the bordering districts.

The counter-intelligence officials posted in north Bengal, Uttar Dinajpur, Malda, Murshidabad, Nadia and North 24 Parganas have been asked to be careful, following the recent arrest of two State Bank of India (SBI) officials from the Domariyaganj branch in UP for allegedly exchanging FICN of about Rs 1.5 crores with real notes.

An intelligence official in Kolkata said, "As per plans, the agents — who are mainly circulating the money into the country through the Nepal border — are now looking forward to lure the officials of the branches located in the bordering areas."

There is an apprehension that some officials might have become involved with these agents. The Centre has decided to set up a nodal cell in all the states to deal with FICN circulation. The RBI and the economic office wings (EOW) have also stepped into action and have recommended surprise checks.

Meanwhile, the Nadia police on Wednesday recovered fake Indian currency notes (FICN) amounting to Rs 30,000 from Sailen Ghosh, a Chapra businessman. He was arrested later.