Police personnel check the helicam in Berhampur. Picture by Gopal Krishna Reddy

Berhampur, May 3: A remote-controlled helicam, designed to take aerial pictures, has caused panic among residents at Gandhi Nagar here for a few hours.

The helicam landed two days ago on roadside near the Kalki temple. The red light and a camera at the bottom of the craft attracted many passers-by, who went close to have a glance of the flying machine.

As the news spread, a crowd gathered at the spot. They only dispersed after personnel from Town police station reached the spot.

Inspector in charge of Town police station Anil Kumar Mishra said that though they brought the helicam from the spot to the police station for verification, it was returned to its owner, Gopal Krushna Sahu, the proprietor of Giriraj Studio situated at Aga Sahi Square.

“We found out that the helicam was harmless and not misused. Besides, it was a private property,” the inspector-in-charge said. A Delhi-based company, DJI, manufactured the helicam. Giriraj Studio rented it from the company for demonstration purpose.

A staff member of the studio was assigned to take aerial video pictures with the help of the helicam of a thread ceremony at Gosaninuagaon.

However, the helicam grounded at Gandhi Nagar soon after the operator of the machine lost control over it, Mishra said after interrogating the operator. The owner of Giriraj Studio said the helicam cost Rs 97,000, and they intended to introduce it for the first time in Berhampur to take aerial video pictures.

“We had sought Rs 7,000 for taking aerial video of the event. But, we incurred a loss after it was grounded, and we were unable to take photographs,” said Gopal Krushna.