Mangalore,Dec.29: : Mangaluru City Police will install 20-additional CCTV cameras to go with the 33 already in place at vantage points across the city. An assessment about the places where the cameras need to be set up is being worked out, city police commissioner R Hithendra said. Steps are also being taken to repair or replace the nine non-functional cameras in the present set of cameras in the city and the new cameras will come with additional features.
Chairing the monthly SC/ST meeting organized by the city police unit on Sunday, Hithendra took note of concerns expressed by Raghuveer Suttarpete, a dalit leader about need for more CCTVs in areas prone to crime. Raghuveer made a forceful appeal for CCTV camera at Valencia area of the city, which is witnessing a steady streak of heinous crimes. Ramesh Kotyan, another dalit leader too supported Raghuveer’s contention in this regard.
Directing N Vishnuvardhan, deputy commissioner of police (crime and traffic) to follow up on Raghuveer’s request for increased surveillance in Valencia, an educational and banking hub, Hithendra post the meeting personally checked the functioning of the cameras in the control room in his office. A complaint by another dalit leader that CCTV in front of the DC’s office entrance was not functioning prompted him to make this snap check.
Raghuveer earlier pointed that cases of chain snatching and other heinous crimes were on the rise in Valencia area and it is imperative that the area be put under CCTV surveillance to keep a check on such unsavoury instances. Raghuveer reminded Hithendra that he had also made a similar request at the same forum in August. Vishnuvardhan requested Raghuveer to suggest places in Valencia where the CCTVs can be installed during the spot visit.
When Mukesh Kumar, dalit leader said people who recharge cellphones for various telecom companies are taking pre-paid customers for a ride, Hithendra urged him to place all facts on such activities in writing and assured to take action. More often than not amount recharged does not reflect in subscribers balance. Harried customers suffer with telecom companies and the person who has recharged their account shirking responsibility, Mukesh said.
Jagadish Pandeshwar, dalit leader expressed concern at rising instances of theft at a particular daivasthana at Niddodi under Moodbidri police station. He said thieves had targeted the hundi of the same daivasthana three times in the recent past, while other daivasthanas in the region had been left untouched. Ramesh Kumar, PSI, Moodbidri PS assured that police will increase patrolling in the area and every effort will be made to detect the case.
