SHILLONG: Absence of closed circuit television cameras (CCTVs) in commercial hubs of the State have made it difficult for the law enforcers to identify culprits who take advantage of the volatile situation to indulge in arson.
Despite talks since the last few years that police would install CCTVs in collaboration with commercial institutions in the vulnerable locations of Shillong, nothing has materialised so far. Former DGP N Ramchandran has assiduously pursued this idea of a “Safe and secure Shillong,” but retired before its fruition
If the Government had set up CCTVs, the police could have identified the perpetrators of two recent arson cases, one at Iewduh and the other in Police Bazar. Two people were injured and shops gutted in two separate incidents.
Though there are indications that the same group of people may have been involved in the crime, police are yet to make any breakthrough in the two cases as the time (morning hours) they chose to launch their attacks on the shops was advantageous to them. There was neither presence of police nor CRPF when the shops were attacked. It appears that the miscreants chose the appropriate time after watching the movement of the cops around the area.
Lack of CCTVs has left the police handicapped when it came to the sudden attack of miscreants during odd hours. The need for CCTVs came to a pitch when some groups had threatened to bomb the commercial hubs of Shillong city two years ago. Once the threat abated the idea of CCTVs was forgotten.
Plans were afoot that Police would team up with BSNL to install CCTVs in many parts of the city. However, this plan is hanging fire.
When contacted, DGP PJP Hanaman said that the state government is still in the process in identifying the system. “The government is examining the latest system rather than wasting money on an outdated system,” Hanaman said. Referring to the police-BSNL tie up, Hanaman said that the department is technically evaluating the proposal adding that it is an expensive proposition which is under consideration.
Reiterating the advantages of installing CCTVs in vulnerable areas of the city, the state DGP said, “CCTV could be a deterrent for criminal activities and speed up investigation of any case hence government is examining the latest technology.”
He also maintained that till such time that government comes up with this project, departmental stores and big commercial establishments can install CCTV cameras at their own expense as the same does not cost so much since it is not connected to any integrated grid.