Puja pandals to install CCTV cameras

Police have asked Cuttack Durga puja committees to install close circuit television (CCTV) cameras in pandals. Last year, this instruction was only confined to pandals with chandi medha.

This year 156 puja committees will set up pandals with 16 using silver and gold ornaments and silver tableaux to decorate.

“Last year, 10 puja committees had put up silver tableaux and installed CCTV in their pandals. This had helped us a lot in managing the crowd and keeping an eye on chain snatchers,” a senior police officer said.

“It is a fact that we do not have adequate number of police personnel to manage the huge crowd during the five-day celebrations. The cameras would help us in better monitoring,” the police officer added.

Some puja committees are not keen on CCTVs. “Small puja committees don’t want to spend on CCTV cameras as it will add to their expenses but we are trying to convince them,” P K Sahoo, member of Cuttack Mahanagar Puja Committee, said.

DCP (Cuttack) S Praveen Kumar said police would also install CCTV cameras at important junctions in the city and a control room will be set up to monitor the cameras. “We will ensure that our orders are followed by the puja committees,” he said.

Sources said 12 CCTV cameras would be located at prominent locations throughout the weeklong celebrations. Only eight CCTV cameras were installed last year.

Police have decided to strengthen security measures in the city ahead of the Dussehra celebrations from October 10.

Senior officials have stressed on the importance of community policing for smooth conduct of the annual festival by increasing the number of special police officers, chosen from among the local people, and deploying them in select areas.