Prison, police vehicles to have IP-enabled cameras

Nikhil Bhardwaj
Tribune News Service
Ludhiana November 21

A proposal to install IP-enabled CCTV cameras on prison vans, police vehicles, including anti-riot (Vajra vans) vehicles has received in-principle approval from the DGP office. This proposal is the brainchild of ADCP Headquarters and Security Deepak Pareek.

The main aim of installing these cameras on vehicles is to keep a watch on criminals and anti-social elements. This will enable senior cops to keep a check on law and order situation whenever and wherever required as these cameras can be synced with their mobile phones.

Another reason that triggered the police to install these cameras was to prevent escape of jail inmates from prison vans. Recently, a jail inmate had escaped from a prison van after he was being taken to the Ludhiana Central Jail. He had reportedly made a hole beneath his seat to make a way to escape.

Pareek said about three months ago, three cameras were installed on prison vans as part of a pilot project and now after its success, this project was being fully adopted by the commissionerate.

Police Commissioner Rakesh Agrawal also took keen interest in the project. “Now the city police will install these cameras on 20 more vehicles, including prison vans, patrolling vans Ertiga, anti-riot buses, which are required to maintain any law and order situation. These will be moving cameras that can capture all sides,” Pareek said.

“Any officer having access to these IP-enabled cameras can see live recording of these cameras and even control rooms can also keep a tab on any situation. It will help the police in controlling the law and order in the state and it will also act as deterrent for inmates who travel in prison vans. Senior cops will also be able to keep an eye on cops through their mobile phones,” he added.