The proposal to close some ATMs at night to ensure customers' security is receiving severe opposition and criticism by consumer activists.

The dreadful attack on a woman customer at an ATM in Bangalore last November forced banks to find ways to ensure customers security. The finance ministry had also directed banks to step up security at ATMs.

As the Indian Banks' Association (IBA) is searching new ways to ensure security at ATMs, some senior executives form public as well as private sector banks have suggested that some ATMs should be closes at night to ensure customers' security.

But, the idea has met severe criticism from consumer activists, who are arguing that closure of ATMs would create inconvenience for customers.

Opposing the idea, consumer activist Pushpa Girimaji said, "The idea of having ATMs is to facilitate anytime money and convenience. Banks need to devise ways to provide security to customers."

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a senior official from a private sector bank said some banks are already keep their ATMs closed at nights unofficially, and put up 'out of cash' or 'out of service' signs outside their ATMs at night.