Ranchi, May 14: Ranchi police are yet to bring the capital under comprehensive digital surveillance despite tall claims by the authorities concerned to check crime and improve law and order in the city.
According to sources, the Raghubar Das government on February 25 announced to set up CCTV cameras along all the major thoroughfares in the state capital following a heated debate in the Assembly over deteriorating law and order. Notwithstanding urgency and resolve shown by the government, not much has been done on the ground even after two months.
As a result, in case of any crime, city police still have to bank on CCTV footage provided by business establishments, shops or residential apartments for vital leads that may aid investigations.
On May 10, a missing case was filed at Lower Bazar thana after an assistant manager (sales) of IDBI, Main Road, Gulshan Dayal, became incommunicado. Police had to bank on the CCTV footage of a local hotel. Earlier, on March 11, when a loot took place near Equra mosque, police had to collect footage from different shops to identify the criminals, said police sources.
Sources at the state police headquarters said that during a preliminary survey, 65 locations, including busy marketplaces and arteries, had been identified across the city where CCTV cameras would be set up. Further, as per a rough estimate, at least 350 CCTV cameras would be required to ensure proper surveillance, they added.
"However, after initial discussions, nothing has been done in this regard. The files related to the matter are gathering dust," said a senior police officer on condition of anonymity.
Another officer said that it was difficult for police to find an eyewitness in most of the cases. "Hence, CCTV footage is helpful for not only investigating a case but also ensuring conviction of criminals," he added.
SSP Kuldeep Dwivedi admitted the problem, but expressed his inability to comment on the matter. <>"I cannot say anything in this regard. Contact police headquarters for details in the matter (setting up CCRV cameras)," he added. at the state police headquarters, he gave a vague reply. "It is under process," said Mallick about the progress made so far.
Asked about an expected deadline, he said: "I cannot give any timeline at this moment."
